Published 19 February 2018
Last updated 7 August 2019 + show all updates

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Latest information and actions from the Education and Skills Funding Agency for academies, schools, colleges, local authorities and further education providers.

On 5 and 6 August, the Israeli Higher Planning Committee of the Civil Administration announced plans to advance 2,304 settlement housing units in Israeli settlements, in the West Bank.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said:

We urge Israel to halt its settlement expansion, which is contrary to international law and promotes the effective annexation of the West Bank.

While the Israeli Cabinet approved construction permits for 715 Palestinian units in Area C, much more needs to be done to fulfil the needs of the estimated 300,000 Palestinians there.

The UK continues to urge the Government of Israel to develop improved mechanisms that allow Palestinians to build within Area C.

The UK also remains seriously concerned by the continued demolition of Palestinian property by Israeli authorities, including in Wadi al Hummus on 22 July.

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Government spending on the Access to Work scheme is up to record levels, with £129.1 million spent last year – a real terms increase of £15 million since 2010.

Access to Work is a government-run scheme that breaks down workplace barriers for disabled people and those with health conditions by paying for adjustments such as:

People can receive almost £60,000 a year through the scheme, which is more than double the average annual salary and an increase of 40% in just 2 years.

Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson said:

Having a disability or health condition must not be a barrier to enjoying a fulfilling career – and the support available means there’s no excuse for employers who refuse to be inclusive.

Access to Work removes the obstacles facing disabled people in the workplace, helping to level the playing field and ensure businesses don’t see employing disabled people as a burden.

With more disabled people than ever before supported through Access to Work, thousands more employers across the country are benefitting from the skills disabled people bring to the workplace.

Access to Work is part of a wider government drive to create more job opportunities for disabled people, with nearly 950,000 more disabled people in work compared to 5 years ago.

Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd has committed to reviewing the government’s goal to see one million more disabled people in work between 2017 and 2027 with a view to making the target more ambitious.

Ross is a wheelchair user who works for Lloyds Banking Group. He has a support worker to help with workplace tasks, paid for by Access to Work.

Ross said:

Access to Work has made a massive difference to my life. Without it, I wouldn’t have a job. I probably wouldn’t be earning a living, I wouldn’t own my own home, I wouldn’t be able to go on holidays and I wouldn’t be able to follow the hobbies that interest me because I wouldn’t be able to be employed. It makes a massive, massive difference to me.

Louis, who is visually impaired, also works for Lloyds Banking Group. Access to Work has paid for taxi fares so that Louis and his guide dog Dexter can get to and from work safely.

Louis said:

Access to Work is that key enabler which allows businesses to be as inclusive as they want to be.

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Following the meeting with the President and Vice President of the United States of America, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said:

I was delighted to meet the President and the Vice President on my first visit to Washington as Foreign Secretary. We appreciate the President’s warmth and enthusiasm for the UK-US relationship. The UK looks forward to working with our American friends to reach a free trade deal that is good for both countries, and cooperating on the common security challenges we face.

The Foreign Secretary will have further discussions on a range of foreign and security policy issues on Wednesday (7 August) in Washington, including with Secretary of State Pompeo and National Security Advisor Bolton.

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