To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what equality impact assessment has been undertaken on the commissioning of a specialist disability employment programme; what risks have been identified in the procurement process; and if he will make a statement. (259122)

[holding answer 26 February 2009]: An equality impact assessment on the new specialist disability employment programme was undertaken as part of the White Paper “Raising expectations and increasing support: reforming welfare for the future” impact assessment. This was published online in December 2008 at

www.dwp.gov.uk/raisingexpectations.

The equality impact assessment will be regularly reviewed.

The new disability employment programme is being progressed through a formal project within DWP, and the project management process includes identifying and managing all potential risks. A number of these have commercial implications, so listing them would not be appropriate at this time.