Thousands of individuals with illnesses or disabilities are set to receive support to enter the workforce as part of a new initiative placing employment advisors in GP practices. Pat McFadden, the Secretary of Work and Pensions, aims to assist 300,000 people with health conditions or disabilities in securing employment by 2030, emphasizing empowerment over dependency.
A substantial investment of £167.2 million is being allocated to extend the Connect to Work program to nine additional regions in England, including Cumbria, Oxfordshire, West Sussex, and Brighton. This expansion will offer intensive employment guidance to over 40,000 more individuals, focusing on practical support rather than medical excuses.
The government projects a total funding of over £1 billion for England and Wales over the next five years to provide employment assistance to 300,000 sick or disabled individuals by the end of the decade. The Connect to Work initiative, a voluntary program, caters to those with disabilities, health issues, or multiple obstacles to employment, offering tailored aid such as embedding specialized advisors within healthcare teams, from GP clinics to mental health services.
In various areas like Portsmouth, the North East, and East Sussex, innovative approaches are being employed, including virtual reality training for interview skills and facilitating access to affordable childcare to aid parents in re-entering the workforce. Currently, approximately 2.8 million individuals in the UK are jobless due to long-term sickness, a number equivalent to the population of Greater Manchester. While job centers provide support through work coaches, the government emphasizes the unique role of specialist employment advisors in integrating job guidance with comprehensive care services.
Mr. McFadden expressed, “Writing off people with long-term health conditions or disabilities fails them and fails our economy. We are giving people a hand up, not a handout, realizing their potential and providing them with the skills to succeed.” The North East region is among the beneficiaries of the current funding, with around 13,800 individuals expected to benefit from a £49.7 million assistance package.
Kim McGuinness, Mayor of North East, highlighted the positive impact of tailored support in overcoming job search barriers for many individuals in the region. The initiative aims to facilitate thousands of people in rejoining the workforce by addressing their specific challenges effectively.
