It's time to get Britain working again by doing what they can do, says Mel Stride
Work transforms lives. It gives people purpose, life-long friends, and all the rewards of earning a living. It also helps keep us fit - both mentally and physically. says Mel Stride
But as this paper highlights, the most common reason for people being out of work right now is long-term sickness.
I’m making it my mission to help people back into the workplace, by focusing on what they can do – not what they can’t.
We’re establishing an employment support system that works for them, taking forward ambitious reforms to remove the barriers to work people with health conditions can face.
This builds on progress we’ve made to dismantle Labour’s unfair system, which shockingly saw over a million trapped on welfare for almost a decade.
Our reforms have seen almost four million more people in employment since 2010, making work pay so someone out of work who takes a full-time job on the National Living Wage is now £7,000 better off every year.
But I want to go further. No one should be left behind. That’s why my department is investing an extra £2 billion to help those with long-term illnesses and disabilities get into work.
Work coaches share this mission, so we’re funding more coaches with extra time to support people who need it.
Having visited jobcentres up and down the country, I’ve heard from many people managing physical and mental conditions who have thrived after finding the right job.
People who have benefitted from our grants and support to make the adjustments they need to stay in work and flourish.
We know that staying in work with the right help is better for many people’s recovery and long-term prospects than falling out of employment entirely.
So, we’re looking at how we use conversations with health professionals to better support individuals to remain in the workforce.
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And we’re helping employers keep their staff healthier and remove obstacles for those with health conditions or disabilities.
Last month we announced plans to increase the number of employers expanding their occupational health offer, drawing from the best models around the world, through incentives like tax breaks.
Growing the British workforce will put more money directly into people’s pockets. It will transform lives. And it will grow the economy.
These are the Prime Minister’s priorities because they are yours – and we’re getting on with the job.