Job advisers to be embedded in GP surgeries as tens of thousands more sick and disabled people offered help into work
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Nine further areas across England to benefit from a £167 million
investment in Connect to Work – the programme that refuses to write
off sick or disabled people Funding includes putting specialist
employment advisers in GP surgeries and mental health services, and
community-based referral partners Comes as part of £1 billion
investment to unlock people's potential, breaking down barriers to
opportunity as part of the Plan for Change Over 40,000 more sick
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Over 40,000 more sick or disabled people will receive intensive employment support to move into secure, fulfilling work and out of poverty, thanks to a £167.2 million boost to the Connect to Work programme. The expansion will see the programme rolled out to nine further areas across England, including Cumbria, Oxfordshire, and West Sussex and Brighton, helping those who may have been excluded from the job market to take steps towards employment. Total funding is now set to reach over £1 billion across England and Wales over the next five years and provide 300,000 sick or disabled people with help to get into work by the end of the decade.
With 2.8 million people out of work due to health conditions,
it's part of the Government's plan to get Britain working again
and ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive by modernising
jobcentres, locally driven support, and delivering a Youth
Guarantee so every young person is either earning or
learning. Support includes embedding specialist advisers directly within healthcare teams - from GP surgeries to mental health services - treating employment support as holistic care, while areas such as Portsmouth, the North East and East Sussex are also:
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “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, realising their potential and providing them with the skills to succeed as part of our Plan for Change. “Thanks to local areas hitting the ground running, it is already delivering results – proving that when we invest in people and communities, everyone wins." Over one in four people out of work cite sickness as a barrier to employment – up from one in ten in 2012, while over one in three people on Universal Credit have a disability or health condition that limits their ability to work. Connect to Work advisers work closely with each person to understand their individual circumstances, career aspirations, and any barriers they face, ensuring the support provided is genuinely tailored to help them secure work that is both suitable and sustainable. For people like Chris, this approach has been life-changing: “Since the start of my journey on Connect to Work, it has given me my confidence back following my accident. “I have been signposted to organisations to improve my computer skills and I've now completed three courses, which will support me in my new career in site management. “Connect to Work also funded my Site Management Safety Training Scheme course, which has opened more options and played a significant role in my personal development, helping me to stay motivated and focused - I'm extremely thankful for the support.” Connect to Work is unique in being locally designed and delivered. Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach, areas are empowered to shape the support around what works best for their communities and target funding where it's needed most – whether that's understanding local job markets, cultural needs, or specific challenges their residents face. Some of the areas to receive funding today are:
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “The North East is an amazing place to work but too many people are facing barriers when they're trying to find a job. “However, that's all about to change as we help thousands of people back to the workplace with tailored support that tackles the issues they're facing. “It's all part of our New Deal for North East Workers, we're helping local people secure the jobs that work for them. Because when everyone can succeed, our communities and our economy thrive." With over £1 billion committed over five years, Connect to Work shows the impact that providing meaningful support can have – one person, one job, one new opportunity at a time. ENDS Notes to Editors:
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