Job advisers to be placed in GP surgeries

The government is stepping up its efforts to get more sick and disabled people into work.

An extra £167m is to be put into the Connect to Work programme to deliver tailored employment support in nine more areas across England.

These are:

• the north-east
• Buckinghamshire
• Oxfordshire
• West Sussex and Brighton
• Berkshire
• Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay
• Cumbria
• South Midlands
• York and North Yorkshire

As part of the new investment, specialist employment advisers will be placed in GP surgeries and mental health services.

Sick and disabled people can either self-refer or be referred by specialists such as healthcare professionals, charity partners and local authorities.

Thousands of people to benefit, says government

The Department for Work and Pensions believes the Connect to Work scheme will help more than 300,000 people across England and Wales over the next five years.

“This investment is just what the doctor ordered,” said health minister Stephen Kinnock.

“For many people, getting help finding the right work could be as important a part of their prescription as the correct physio or medication.”

Work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden added that the investment will help more people realise their potential and give them the “skills to succeed.”

“Writing off people with long-term health conditions or disabilities fails them and fails our economy,” he commented.

“We are giving people a hand up, not a handout.”

Quarter of people out of work say sickness is a barrier

One in four people who currently don’t have a job cite sickness as an obstacle that stops them finding work.

That’s more than double the figure recorded in 2012.

Meanwhile, government figures show that over a third of people on universal credit have a disability or health condition that limits their ability to work.

Connect to Work participant hails support

Chris recently took part in the Connect to Work programme after suffering an accident and was signposted to organisations to improve his computer skills.

He has since completed three courses, which will support him in his new career in site management.

“It has given me my confidence back,” Chris said.

“Connect to Work also funded my Site Management Safety Training Scheme course, which has opened more options and played a significant role in my personal development, helping me to stay motivated and focused.

“I’m extremely thankful for the support.”