Forum Brief: Employment benefits

Tuesday 13th April 2004 at 12:12 AM

Ministers are set to spend up to £800 million a year on a programme to encourage those on incapacity benefits back to work, in the latest attempt to boost employment levels.

Government Response: Department for Work and Pensions

Work and pensions secretary Andrew Smith said: "There are 2.7 million people claiming incapacity benefits but nine out of ten people who go on to these benefits expect to get back to work again.

“This radical new approach to helping people get jobs rather than stay on incapacity benefit offers a better future to people who have in the past been neglected, or worse, written off. Combining advice, support, rehabilitation and extra money for those who move into jobs can make a real difference. These Pathways to Work projects are leading the way in reshaping the whole approach to incapacity benefit in the future. They are a great example of joined-up government and partnership with business and the voluntary sector at a local level.

“Employers support our initiative – it is also good news for them if people with key skills and experience are brought back into the jobs market at a time when unemployment is low and vacancies high."

Forum Response: Disabilities Trust

Matt Townsend, public affairs officer for the Disabilities Trust told ePolitix.com: "The Disabilities Trust welcomes the government's renewed focus on providing additional support to economically inactive people who are currently out of work. However it should be stressed that not all those in receipt of incapacity or related state benefits are 'work shy'. Many have of course tried to find employment and have faced difficulties and barriers because they have a disability. It is therefore crucial that the government's strategy attacks the problem at both ends. Better advice and support from job centres may be necessary and helpful but it also true that society's attitudes must change if more people with disabilities are to have the opportunity to find gainful employment. At the moment there are around eight and half million disabled people in the UK, only a small percentage of whom work full time. Not only does this represent a real waste of human potential but it means that too many are of course forced to claim benefits. If more disabled people could find employment they would not only enjoy a higher standard of living themselves but would be better able to contribute to the country's economy and tax base."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Geraint Day, health policy adviser at the Institute of Directors, said: "The whole issue of rehabilitating people back to work is one that should interest the nation. The fact of people disappearing permanently from work
can be a tragedy for individuals, employers and the economy. The evidence seems to be that prolonged absence from a job lessens the likelihood of a return to work.

"Most people who suffer illness or have a disability probably want to get back to gainful employment. For the vast majority, having a job is far better for a person's long-term health than is a reliance on benefits. However, at present, if the various systems of benefit and occupational health services do not intervene early enough many people can fall out of the labour market for good. At a time when there is a crying need to retain and develop skills this is even more unfortunate.

"The government has been piloting new measures on helping people back into employment. As we understand it, some of the signs from the pilots have proved positive. Provided that any national scheme takes the best elements of these, then it will be interesting to see how much progress is made in helping tackle this large-scale national issue."

Forum Brief: Employment benefits

Intellect

Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

Freight Transport Association

Royal College of General Practitioners

Shaw Trust

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