DWP update for Universal Credit claimants on Government's 'back to work' plan
by Kieran Isgin, Linda Howard · ChronicleLiveAhead of the 'Get Britain Working' White Paper due for release, Employment Minister Alison McGovern MP has revealed Labour's strategy to assist more disabled individuals and those with health conditions in finding employment. In response to Independent MP Ian Byrne's question about improving job support for disabled Universal Credit recipients, Ms. McGovern emphasised that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) "have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including disabled Universal Credit claimants".
She further explained the plan, stating: "As part of the get Britain working plan, more disabled people and those with health conditions will be supported to enter and stay in work, by devolving more power to local areas so they can shape a joined-up work, health, and skills offer that suits the needs of the people they serve," as reported by the Daily Record. She continued: "Good quality 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. We want people to avoid poverty, and for this to happen we must ensure that disabled people and people with health conditions have the opportunity to work and save for as long as they wish and are able to."
The DWP Minister gave a speech on the necessity of attending to the bespoke needs of persons with disabilities and health conditions, emphasizing that they form a "diverse group who need access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time". She expanded: "We have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including disabled Universal Credit claimants."
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The minister further underscored the vital role of employers in generating more occupational prospects for those with disabilities and in assisting them "to thrive as part of the workforce."
To aid employers, measures include expanding Occupational Health access, rolling out a digital information resource specifically for employers, and promoting the Disability Confident scheme, reports the Manchester Evening News.
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