Meetings

Recent and planned meetings

• 3/4 June 2009-Edinburgh
• 21/22 October 2009-Cardiff
• 3/4 February 2010-London

Meetings 2009

Twenty-Third Meeting-London 4-5 February 2009

At the pre-event meeting on the 4 February the Committee heard from Rebecca Sudworth, Head of Disability and Work Division, DWP who spoke on Welfare Reform and headline topics within DWD.

This was followed by an introduction session for the 6 new DEAC members and the new special adviser on TU issues, enabling them to get to know the existing DEAC members and DWP officials.

At the main meeting on the 5 February the Committee:

• Received an update on the rollout of Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and its initial impact on disabled people.
• Received a presentation on the research report “ Workstep: Exploring a Distance Travelled Approach to Development Planning ”.
• Were given an update on the IDEAS project.
• Received an update on the Cross-Government Learning Disability Employment Strategy.
• Heard from Jonathan Shaw MP, Minister for Disabled People and Minister for the South East on Welfare Reform, including key issues for disabled people.
• Received updates from two DEAC members on their work at ENHAM and St George’s Hospital, Tooting respectively.

Meetings 2008

Twenty-Second Meeting – Cardiff 22-23 October 2008

At the pre meeting event the Commmitte heard from Neil McIvor, Head of Analysis at the DWP’s Disability & Work Division (DWD) and Nicola Gitsham from the DoH on the “Getting a Life” project . Neil gave an overview of his role and responsibilities and summarised the emerging anlaytical findings within DWD. Nicola gave a full presentation on the cross Government “ Getting a Life ” project and her role within it.

During the main meeting on the 23 October the Committee:

• Received a presentation on Access to Work funding and discussed its future focus, performance improvement and DEAC’s involvement.
• Received a presentation on the Welfare Reform Green Paper and discussed its implications.
• Received a presentation on the Skills Health Check and Mandation and discussed their implications.
• Were given updates on work by DEAC members on Breakthrough UK, Pathways-a Provider Perspective, Customised Employment and the Glasgow City Strategy.
• Received a presentation from Welsh Assembly representatives on Economic Inactivity and Healthy Working in Wales.
• Gave updates on current DEAC work and discussed forthcoming work.
  

Twenty-First Meeting – Edinburgh 18-19 June 2008

At the pre meeting event on 18 June the Committee heard from Bob Benson, member of the Disability Committee for the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Bob gave an overview of his current role with the EHRC, and spoke about the Disability Committee's current programmes, priorities and issues.

During the main meeting on the 19 June the Committee:

• Received a presentation on RoDES/IDEAS and discussed issues around Welfare Reform.
• Received a presentation on and discussed the Flexible New Deal.
• Heard form Anne McGuire MP, Minister for Disabled People, about current activity and her priorities fo disabled people.
• Received updates on project work and looked ahead for future topics for consideration.

Twentieth Meeting – Sheffield 17 April 2008

The theme of this one day special meeting was Health, Work and Well-being and the Committee heard from representatives from the DWP’s Health, Work and Well-being Directorate who gave updates on:

• The DWP’s Health, Work and Well-being Strategy.
• Dame Carol Black’s Review of the Health of the Working Age Population.
• Mental Health and Employment.

Nineteenth Meeting – London 30-31 January 2008

At the pre meeting evening event on 30 January, the Committee heard from Sally Witcher, previous Chair of DEAC. Sally, brought the Committee up-to-date on the work of the Office for Disability Issues and her role within ODI.
During the meeting the Committee:

• Received updates on the Employment and Support Allowance and the Review of Disability Employment Services.
• Heard from the Director of Welfare to Work, DWP, who reminded DEAC of recent developments in Welfare Reform policy and provided a forward look at the work his Directorate would be involved with.
• Were given a presentation from the Child Poverty Unit on the work being done to meet the 2010/2011 target of halving the 1989 figure of people experiencing child poverty.
• Received updates on project work and looked ahead to future topics for consideration.