I AM writing in response to a letter published in The Bolton News and on the website on Monday, May 18, regarding changes to Access to Work (‘Support the campaign against changes to Access to Work support for Deaf, and disabled people’).

The Government has no intention of ‘cutting’ the Access to Work scheme. On the contrary, the aim of the changes announced in March is to open it up to greater numbers while keeping the funding at the same level.

As the petition cited in the letter states, Access to Work helps to ensure Deaf and disabled people can work, earn a wage and support their families. This is why the Government has invested an extra £15m in the scheme since 2012 and we welcome that the number of people using it is on the rise. These changes will help many more to join them in getting into, and staying in, work in the future.

Justin Tomlinson MP

Minister for Disabled People

Department for Work and Pensions

London