Ahead of the anticipated ‘Get Britain Working’ White Paper due this Autumn, Employment Minister Alison McGovern MP has outlined Labour’s blueprint to boost employment among disabled individuals and those with health conditions.
Responding in writing to Independent MP Ian Byrne’s question on enhancing job support for disabled Universal Credit claimants, Ms. McGovern pointed out that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) “have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including disabled Universal Credit claimants”.
She detailed the strategy, saying: “As part of the get Britain working plan, more disabled people and those with health conditions will be supported to enter and stay in work, by devolving more power to local areas so they can shape a joined-up work, health, and skills offer that suits the needs of the people they serve,” reports the Daily Record.
She continued: “Good quality work is generally good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. We want people to avoid poverty, and for this to happen we must ensure that disabled people and people with health conditions have the opportunity to work and save for as long as they wish and are able to.”
The DWP Minister underscored the significance of tailoring services to meet the unique requirements of disabled people and those with health conditions, emphasising that they represent a “diverse group who need access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time”. Expanding on this, she said: “We have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including disabled Universal Credit claimants.”
These measures include:
- Support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres
- Joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care
- Access to Work grants and the Work and Health Programme
She further pointed out the vital role employers play in generating more job opportunities for disabled persons and aiding them “to thrive as part of the workforce.”
Measures to assist employers include expanding access to Occupational Health services, launching a digital resource for employers, and advocating for the Disability Confident scheme.
