Government confirms new £64 million plan to help people stay in work
15 areas, including Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire and Cornwall are to become part of a new £64 million pilot to deliver joined-up work and health support
The Work and Pensions Secretary has revealed a new work and health support service is set to be rolled out across 15 areas of England, as part of government plans to help people will health conditions return to work.
The 'WorkWell' pilots are to provide tailored support for people in their local area, so people can stay and progress in work.
Launched by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Health and Social Care, the new service will connect 59,000 people to local support services, including physiotherapy and counselling.
It follows the Prime Minister's announcement of a sweeping package of welfare reforms, to modernise the benefit system and help thousands more people into work - among this, a review of fit notes to consider how to relieve pressure on GPs.
Where will the pilots be running?
Birmingham and Solihull,
Black Country,
Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire,
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough,
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly,
Coventry and Warwickshire,
Frimley,
Herefordshire and Worcestershire,
Greater Manchester,
- Lancashire and South Cumbria,
- Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland,
- North Central London,
- North West London,
- South Yorkshire,
- Surrey Heartlands
Who can benefit?
You do not need to be claiming any government benefits to participate in the service, and will receive personalised support from a Work and Health Coach to understand current heath and social barriers to work, and draw up a plan to overcome them.
WorkWell is for anyone with a health condition or disability, including mental health conditions, who wants to work. It is a voluntary service, so people will be able to self-refer, or may be referred to WorkWell through their GP, employer or the community sector.
The service comes after figures have shown there are currently 2.8 million people who are 'economically inactive' due to long-term sickness - a near-record high.
Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride MP, said: “We are rolling out the next generation of welfare reforms so that thousands more people can gain all the benefits work brings.
“Too many today are falling out of work in a spiral of sickness that harms their finances, their prospects and ultimately their health, where with the right workplace adjustments and help, this needn’t be the case.
“And so we have designed WorkWell, a groundbreaking new service, that will for the first time integrate health and work advice at the local level, as part of our plan to stem the flow into economic inactivity, grow the economy, and change lives for the better.”
Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins MP, said: “Too often, people with disabilities or poor health fall out of work with no support.
“We have a plan to change that and improve lives so everyone has the opportunity to find fulfilling work. This service will help tens of thousands of people, who will receive joined-up work and health support, tailored to their individual needs.
“This service, alongside a faster, simpler and fairer health service, will build a healthier workforce, and a stronger economy.”