The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed new plans to help people with fluctuating or invisible health conditions find and stay in work as part of the ‘Get Britain Working White Paper’, which was published in November. Minister for Employment Alison McGovern, said new measures to help more people will include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres along with Access to Work grants.
The DWP Minister explained how the £240 million investment plan will help the Labour Government “drive forward approaches to tackling economic inactivity and work toward the long-term ambition of an 80 per cent employment rate”.
The written response came after Labour MP Mark Sewards asked what steps are being taken to ensure “people with fibromyalgia, ADHD and other invisible disabilities are supported back into work”.
Ms McGovern continued: “As a Government, we want to support all forms of neurodiversity in the workplace, and we are looking to build on the findings of the Buckland Review of Autism Employment by gathering expert evidence in line with this expanded focus.
“Appropriate work is generally good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live.
“Disabled people and people with health conditions, including those with fibromyalgia, ADHD and other invisible conditions, are a diverse group so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key. We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems.”
The DWP Minister added: “Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care.”
She also said that employers will play a key role in “increasing employment opportunities and supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, to thrive as part of the workforce”.
A consultation on proposed changes to the welfare system is due to be published in the Spring.