In May this year, figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that there are now 4.8 million disabled people across the country in employment, an increase of 1.3 million since 2017, delivering on a UK Government goal to see one million more in work by 2027.
Following the release, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced a £1.3 billion investment over three years in employment support for disabled people and people with health conditions. Last week, Shadow work and pensions secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, asked the DWP how the money will be spent.
Claire Coutinho, former DWP minister, now with the Department for Education following new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet shake-up, responded that Work Coach support will be increasing across Scotland, England and Wales for people with health conditions receiving Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance (ESA).
In a written response on October 26, Ms Coutinho said: “This government is committed to helping disabled people and people with health conditions to start, stay, and succeed in work.
“The £1.3 billion will fund the right support in the right place to meet each individual’s needs, with an increased focus on upstream intervention to promote retention and engagement when people fall out of work.”
She continued: “This comprises Jobcentre Plus delivered employment support and provision, rolling out successful trials through health and social care settings and working with employers and stakeholders to support people to remain in work
“Within Jobcentres, on top of existing activity, we’re increasing Work Coach support across England, Scotland and Wales for people with health conditions receiving Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance.
“This will enable disabled people to access employment and wider skills support, and our employment programmes earlier. We have begun to offer this support in one-third of Jobcentres and will roll out wider from 2023.”
The minister added that DWP and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will continue to work together to support work and health outcomes.
She explained: “This includes expanding employment support within NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services to the whole of England over this spending review period.
“We will deliver on measures to minimise the risk of ill health related job loss, as set out in the response to the DWP/DHSC consultation Health is Everyone’s Business.
“We continue to work with small businesses to support them, including delivering a national information and advice service for employers, providing better integrated and tailored guidance on managing health and disability in the workplace.”
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