- New legislation removes fear of immediate benefits loss for
disabled people who want to try work
- Policy changes developed by disabled people and those with
health conditions via ‘Collaboration Committee'
- Comes as part of wider welfare reform to incentivise and
support sick and disabled people into jobs- backed by £3.5
billion in employment help by end of decade
The current system inherited by this Government is leaving people
stranded on the benefits system, afraid of trying work. More than
a third (37 percent) of disabled people and people with health
conditions in the DWP work aspirations survey said they want to
work but are held back by fear of losing their benefits.
The landmark legislation – coming into force at the end of April
– means entering employment will not automatically trigger
benefit reassessment for claimants on new-style Employment and
Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, and Universal
Credit health element.
Following recommendations made by disabled people and their
representative organisations during extensive stakeholder
engagement, the legislation also includes a guarantee that those
looking to volunteer will be able to do so without fear of
benefit reassessment – helping people move closer to, or into,
work.
The changes are part of the Government's drive to unlock work for
sick or disabled people and boost living standards, by helping
them move into good, secure jobs. This is backed by a £3.5
billion investment in tailored employment support by the end of
the decade.
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir , said:
Giving sick and disabled people legal protection to try work
without fear is vital for their futures and for growing our
economy.
It's part of the work we're doing to bear down on the cost of
living and boost living standards for sick or disabled people in
every corner of the country.
With 2.8 million people out of work due to long-term sickness,
we're removing the barriers that have held people back for too
long.
Whilst this legislation ensures that entering work is not in
itself a trigger for reassessment, where a reassessment is
already due to take place, this will continue as normal.
Brian Dow, Chief Executive, Mental Health UK,
said:
People often tell us that fear of reassessment, or even losing
essential support if things don't work out, is a significant
barrier to taking those first steps back into work. The Right to
Try is a positive and practical step that will ensure people have
a safety net when exploring opportunities for work or
volunteering.
This welcome initiative will ensure people are more supported and
help them to build confidence, skills and connection at a pace
that supports their recovery to better mental health.
Minesh Patel, Associate Director of Evidence, Advocacy
and Performance at Mind, said:
Many people with mental health problems want to work but often
worry about losing financial support from the benefits system if
they try to do so.
These reforms are a step in the right direction to help disabled
people build up their confidence and skills to move into
sustained and meaningful employment where this is an option. It's
positive to see the inclusion of volunteering as part of these
changes. Volunteering can provide individuals with more
flexibility and options and can often be a gateway to employment,
whilst also being beneficial for people's mental health.
The Government's wider support offer includes innovative
programmes that meet sick or disabled people where they are, such
as WorkWell - which is now set to unlock opportunities for
250,000 more people - and the Connect to Work programme which
will provide personalised help for 300,000 people over the next
five years.
Reforms which have just come into force will also tackle the
perverse incentives in the Universal Credit system inherited by
this government, which keep people trapped on benefits. By
introducing a lower health element for new claimants, the
government will save nearly £1 billion in taxpayer money and help
move people towards work.
Our DWP-led Collaboration Committees were fundamental in bringing
together the voices of disabled people, and the organisations
representing them, for honest and open discussion on this
legislation. Our inclusion of volunteering in this legislation
came as a direct result of this consultation, ensuring we are
listening to disabled people on how work opportunities can be
unlocked for them.
Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive of learning disability
charity Mencap:
These are sensible and welcome steps to support more disabled
people into work and help rebuild trust in a system that has
caused real anxiety for many in the past.
People with a learning disability want to work, but the benefits
system is often the biggest barrier, so protecting people's
benefits when they try work is particularly important.
We also welcome the upfront investment in employment support and
the commitment to work more closely with disabled people
themselves. The more people with lived experience are part of
shaping the solutions – including through the Collaboration
Committee – the more likely these changes are to succeed.
Additional information:
