A new “Keep Britain Working” review has been launched today
[Friday 24 January] to explore how to urgently support people
with long-term illnesses or disabilities back into work, and to
stay in work.
- Independent review led by former John Lewis boss, Sir Charlie
Mayfield, officially underway.
- Review to investigate how government and businesses can work
together to support ill and disabled people into work, boost
living standards and grow the economy as part of Plan for Change.
- Intervention comes as government is expected to publish major
health and disability benefit reforms this Spring.
Former chairman of John Lewis Partnership, Sir Charlie Mayfield,
will lead the Keep Britain Working Review to investigate the
factors behind spiralling levels of inactivity, and how
government and businesses can work together to turn this around,
to get Britain working again.
The review will be the first of its kind, and following the
launch of the Get Britain Working White Paper, will be one part
of the government's Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth
in partnership with businesses, drive up prosperity and raise
living standards across the UK.
With over a third of working age people reporting a long-term
health condition and around a quarter classed as disabled, the
latter group being three times more likely to be not in work or
looking for work, the scale of the challenge is stark.
Beginning today, the review will move at pace concluding in the
Autumn, with Sir Charlie Mayfield meeting businesses and health
and disability organisations across the country to identify the
scale, trends, obstacles and opportunities for companies when
recruiting and retaining ill and disabled people.
This phase will conclude in Spring with a report based on the
findings from his conversations with company bosses, employees
who have been supported to stay in work, and organisations who
help those out of work, to inform wider engagement.
Recommendations to the government are expected later this year.
This will be part of the government's plan to boost employment by
breaking down barriers to opportunity and improving people's
living standards through work and life-changing support, building
on the latest data this week showing real earnings have increased
by 2.5% on the year.
Sir Charlie Mayfield, who was also Chair of the British Retail
Consortium and Chair of the UK Commission for Employment and
Skills, said:
Losing people from the workforce because of ill-health or
disability is bad for many of the individuals, for the businesses
employing them, and for the wider economy.
It's a growing problem for us all and it's one that's more likely
to be resolved by business and government working together.
I'm looking forward to engaging closely with businesses,
government departments and the many organisations committed to
improving our performance here.
The review, which will identify measures to help ill and disabled
people get into work and stay in work, comes ahead of significant
reforms to health and disability benefits expected in the
Spring.
Work and Pensions Secretary, Rt Hon MP, said:
Millions of people have been left without support to get into
work and on at work, and completely held back from reaching their
potential for far too long, and the record-high cost of long-term
sickness benefits is evidence of that fact.
That's why I am pleased to have Sir Charlie leading this review,
bringing a wealth of experience and helping us to get people into
work, and most importantly keep them in work, so we can boost
living standards and get our economy growing.
Business and Trade Secretary, Rt Hon , said:
It isn't right that too many businesses are missing out on the
people they need, while those who want to work can't because of
long-term sickness.
Solving this problem is one of the greatest challenges facing the
labour market, with years of poor support blocking those with
great talent from helping drive our economy forward.
The government is on the side of working people and is
unashamedly pro-business. That's why this review will be critical
in getting businesses the people they need to unlock their full
potential.
Rain Newton-Smith, CEO of the CBI, said:
Lower rates of employment for people with long-term health
conditions or disabilities is a tragic waste of potential that
holds back economic growth and impacts on well-being.
It denies people the opportunity to improve their personal
financial security through work and prevents businesses from
using their valuable skills and experience to grow the
economy.
Sir Charlie's review is a welcome opportunity for business and
government to co-design solutions that have a real impact.
This business engagement is part of the government's Get Britain
Working White Paper which is currently progressing the biggest
employment reforms in a generation so the UK can reach an
ambitious 80% employment rate.
As part of the plan, Jobcentre's are to change their focus from
monitoring and managing benefit claims to skills and careers,
mental health support will be expanded to reduce waiting lists in
areas with the highest levels of economic inactivity, and mayors
will be empowered to join up local work, health and skills
support to tackle the root causes of inactivity in their areas.
