Wednesday 11 February
2026, 09.30, Committee Room 6
Can Connect to Work designers avoid the over-bureaucracy and
element of fear claimants have faced in previous attempts to help
disabled people into and succeed in work?
The Work and Pensions Committee will question Employment Minister
Dame on the Government's flagship
disability scheme in a session on broader employment support for
disabled people.
Committee MPs are also likely to prompt Dame Diana to update them
on the DWP's approach to safeguarding that the Committee had
called for to be included in the design of all DWP policy, and to
which the Government agreed in principle. This could include an
update of plans to abolish the Work Capability Assessment and the
introduction of conditionality plans for disabled people out of
work who have previously not been subject to this.
She will appear after the Committee hears from a representative
of West London councils delivering the DWP's flagship Connect to
Work, and from a representative of Renfrewshire Council about the
equivalent support in Scotland.
The session follows the Committee's session with Sir Charlie
Mayfield who's Keep Britain Working review examined how
to tackle the economic inactivity crisis among people with
disabilities or in ill-health. During that session, Sir Charlie
discussed the difficulties people and businesses faced in
securing reasonable adjustments in the workplace. This will also
likely come up in the session.
Witnesses
From 09.30
- David Lillicrap, Assistant Director, Health and Employment
Programmes, West London Alliance;
- Ruth Cooper, Chair, Scottish Local Authorities Economic
Development (People) Group, Economic Development Manager,
Renfrewshire Council.
From 10.15
- The Rt Hon Dame DBE MP, Minister for
Employment;
- Lorraine Jackson CBE, Director, Joint Work and Health
Directorate, Department for Health and Social Care;
- Dr Simon Marlow, Deputy Director, Joint Work and Health
Directorate, Department for Work and Pensions;
