To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to ensure equal treatment for the most vulnerable disabled jobseekers within the prime contractor models for Workstep. (263027)

There is no prime contractor model for Workstep. As set out in the White Paper, “Raising expectations and increasing support: reforming welfare for the future”, new specialist disability employment provision will be introduced in 2010. The new programme will be implemented using the principles set out in the Department for Work and Pensions Commissioning Strategy, including the prime contractor model.

An equality impact assessment covering initiatives in the White Paper, including the new specialist disability employment provision, was published in December 2008. The equality impact assessment was published online at:

www.dwp.gov.uk/raisingexpectations