£167m plan to help sick and disabled people into work
Job advisers will be placed in GP surgeries and mental health clinics under a £167 million government plan to help more sick and disabled people back into work.
The expansion of the Connect to Work programme will give over 40,000 people tailored support to move into secure jobs, with nine new areas – including Cumbria, Oxfordshire, and West Sussex – added to the scheme.
National rollout to reach 300,000 people
The initiative is part of a £1 billion national rollout that aims to help 300,000 people across England and Wales find work by 2030.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said writing off people with long-term health conditions “fails them and fails our economy,” while Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said employment support should be seen as part of healthcare.
“For many, getting help to find the right job can be as important as the right medication,” Kinnock said. “This investment is just what the doctor ordered.”
Linking health and work support
The programme will connect health and employment services, with measures including virtual reality interview training, confidence workshops, and childcare support for parents returning to work.
The North East will receive nearly £50 million, the South Midlands £32 million, and Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay £22.8 million.
Local leadership and community impact
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said the funding would “help thousands of people back to the workplace with tailored support that tackles the issues they’re facing.”
Officials said the Connect to Work scheme will continue to expand over the next five years, providing one-on-one help and new opportunities for those struggling to return to the workforce.
