Reshuffle at the DWP…
The government reshuffle last week saw the departure of Esther McVey from the role of Minister of State for Disabled People: she was promoted to Minister of State for Employment. The new Minister for Disabled People is Mike Penning (Conservative MP for Hemel Hempstead).
Mike Penning’s (predictable) statement upon his appointment, reported in the DWP’s formal announcement of the changes, was: “It’s great to be back working with Iain Duncan Smith at this crucial time delivering important welfare reforms. Disabled people aspire to the same opportunities as everyone else, and I want to continue Esther’s work to support disabled people to live fulfilling lives. Making this a senior ministerial post shows the government’s commitment to disabled people and ensuring everyone can get on in life.”
Work Capability Assessments, the DLA to PIP transition, the role of contractors (Atos and Capita) in assessments, the criteria to be applied to assessing people with learning disabilities: these issues remain in the new minister’s in-tray.