Good work is good for health and good for our economy, and have declared as they saw life-changing employment
support at a North London medical centre today [Wednesday 6
November].
The Work & Pensions and Health Secretaries met people who
have been supported by WorkWell to return to or remain in work by
helping them to manage their physical or mental wellbeing in the
workplace.
Kendall and Streeting also met local GPs, and Work and Health
Coaches who are helping deliver the services across North Central
London.
With more than 100,000 people, almost 20%, across North London
currently out of work due to long term sickness, WorkWell pilots
connect thousands of people to local support services such as
physiotherapy and counselling to help them stay or return to
work.
The visit took place at Junction Medical Centre in Tufnell Park
which includes GPs and other medical professionals and acts as a
hub for WorkWell referrals.
WorkWell, a new joint programme by DWP and DHSC, went live in
October this year, backed by £64m funding. WorkWell will reach
56,000 people across the 15 pilot sites by Spring 2026.
The North Central London pilot has received 60 referrals from
healthcare professionals. Over the 18-month lifetime of the
pilot, 3,000 participants are expected to be supported across
North Central London.
For those already in work, but at risk of falling out of
employment, WorkWell can offer advice on managing health barriers
in the workplace, a review of reasonable adjustments with
employers, and support on return-to-work plans.
For those out of work, referrals can be made by a range of
healthcare professionals to WorkWell services which will give
support to people with CV advice, interview techniques, and
support on reasonable adjustment requests with new employers.
The joint visit follows the £240 million Get Britain Working
package announced at the Autumn Budget, including new health and
skills plans led by Mayors and local areas. These changes are key
to delivering the Government's growth mission and spreading
opportunity and prosperity to everyone, wherever they live.
The Get Britain Working plan marks the start of the biggest
reforms to employment support in a generation, which will help to
drive down poverty and drive up opportunity across the country.
Work and Pensions Secretary, , said:
Good work is good for health and good for our economy too.
That's why our Get Britain Working White Paper will join up work,
health and skills plans to tackle economic inactivity and boost
employment across the country.
Our WorkWell programme provides practical help and support to
employers and employees, because we know a healthy nation and a
healthy economy are two sides of the same coin.
The upcoming Getting Britain Working White Paper will develop:
- A new jobs and careers service to help get more people into
work, and get on in their work, by linking jobseekers with
employers, with an increased focus on skills and
careers;
- Joined-up work, health and skills plans to tackle economic
inactivity and boost employment, led by Mayors and local
areas;
- A new Youth Guarantee so that every young person is given the
opportunity to earn or learn.
These major changes will address spiralling economic inactivity,
the near record 2.8 million people locked out of work due to long
term sickness and are part of the Government's ambition to reach
an 80% employment rate.
This is alongside the Government's work to cut NHS waiting lists and address
the social determinants of health which are key to getting
Britain well and back to work.
Alongside an extra £22.6 billion given to the NHS for 2023/24 and 2025/26,
teams of clinicians will also introduce new ways of working at 20
hospital sites in areas with the highest levels of economic
inactivity to help patients return to the workforce faster.
