MORE than 25,000 people with health conditions will be helped to start and stay in work thanks to over £58m in new government funding.
- New funding to support over 25,000 people in England with health issues find and stay in work.
- 12 areas across 41 local authorities in England to benefit from additional employment support.
- Funding marks first step in delivery of Universal Support and key part of efforts to reduce economic inactivity and grow the economy.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, has confirmed the expansion of a programme which provides employment support to people with mild to moderate mental or physical health conditions who are out of work or need support to stay in work.
Recognising employment as an important driver of health and wellbeing, participants are referred to the service by healthcare professionals such as GPs and practice nurses, and employment support and advice are integrated with their normal health treatment.
As well as unlocking people’s potential and supporting them into a fulfilling career, a successful workforce will help deliver on Government’s priorities to halve inflation and grow the economy.
The first phase of the Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (IPSPC) programme, launched in April 2023, providing on-the-job “place and train” employment support and advice to 12,700 people across South Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, West London, Norfolk, Cheshire West and Chester, and West Midlands, at a cost of £27.9 million.
We are now expanding IPSPC to support up to a further 12,900 people in Enfield, Essex, Newham, Nottingham, Slough and Surrey who are set to benefit from an additional £31 million joint investment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
This is part of the first phase of the DWP’s Universal Support employment programme, announced in the Spring Budget.
Commenting, Mims Davies MP, said:
We all know work has a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing and this pioneering programme will help more people in Mid Sussex to reap the benefits of fulfilling employment with the right help.
I believe this is a significant milestone in our commitment to invest in employment support for people with health conditions. Through the reforms set out earlier this year, I am confident we will continue to provide even more inclusive employment opportunities across the country as part of our efforts to unlock people’s potential and grow the economy.