The Impact of Austerity on Equality

Part of Questions to the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip – in the Senedd at 2:37 pm on 14 May 2019.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 2:37, 14 May 2019

Suzy Davies, that is a very important scheme. And we are working with the UK Government, and the department of employment particularly, looking at ways in which we can encourage increased awareness and take-up of that scheme by employers. It's very much a key point that I am discussing with the Minister for Economy and Transport. Because this is about employability, and particularly addressing the needs of disabled people in Wales in terms of employment opportunities. And that is something that, of course, forms part of our national strategy, 'Prosperity for All', because it is about also not just a framework for a whole-Government approach, addressing root causes of poverty, which of course includes disabled people.

I have to say, again, going back to some of the problems that disabled people face at the moment, that they are losing out as a result of UK Government welfare reforms. And we need to make sure that they can access employment, but that also we recognise that there are barriers that we have to address. And of course we are looking for ways in which we can develop a made-in-Wales solution to those problems, but certainly looking at that Disability Confident scheme.