The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed plans to increase face-to-face assessments for health benefits as part of wider reforms aimed at supporting more disabled people and those with health conditions into work.
New £60 million fund announced
The change was highlighted as the DWP opened a new £60 million fund for organisations to test different ways of helping people enter, remain in and progress in employment. The DWP said its wider reforms include increasing face-to-face assessments for health benefits, changing Universal Credit and introducing a new Right to Try Work Guarantee.
It comes as the UK Government attempts to reduce the number of people who are economically inactive because of ill health. According to the DWP, around 2.8 million people are currently out of work due to sickness.
However, the announcement does not provide details on which health benefit assessments will be affected by the increase in face-to-face appointments, when the change will take effect or how many additional in-person assessments are expected to be carried out.
Right to Try Work Guarantee
The UK Government also reiterated plans for a Right to Try Work Guarantee, designed to allow people to try employment without fear of immediately losing their benefits. The DWP said the guarantee would give “everyone who can work the chance to do so without fear of losing their benefits”.
Further changes include what the Government describes as “rebalancing” Universal Credit to remove incentives it believes can discourage people from moving towards employment. A total of £3.5 billion is also being invested in tailored employment support for disabled people and people with health conditions.
The reforms sit alongside measures intended to tackle fraud and error in the benefits system, which the Government estimates will save £14.6 billion over the course of this Parliament.
Pathways to Work Innovation Fund
The latest announcement centres on the Pathways to Work Innovation Fund, which is open to public, private and voluntary sector organisations across the UK. Businesses, charities and other organisations can bid for a share of £60 million to develop and test new approaches to helping disabled people and people with health conditions find and remain in employment.
Ideas could include artificial intelligence-powered job-matching technology, digital therapies for mental health support, prosthetics and other forms of workplace assistance. Applications are open until October 26.
An expert panel including Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson will help assess proposals and decide which should receive funding.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “We want the best ideas from business, charities and disabled people themselves, to help us transform employment support and make sure no talent is left behind.
“These ideas will help us support disabled people in work, helping them to thrive and fulfil their full potential, tackle the disability employment gap and help businesses drive growth across every postcode.”
Baroness Grey-Thompson said that with the right support, disabled people “can and do thrive in the workplace”. She added: “Helping shape this Fund matters to me because finding and keeping work matters enormously, not just for individual wellbeing and independence, but for society as a whole.”
