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19/10/2004
GPs urged to help end 'sick note' culture
Doctors have today been urged to resist signing people off on long-term sick leave as it could seriously interfere with their attempts to get back to work.
The latest figures on Incapacity Benefit (IB) have found that over the last two decades the number of people on the benefit had trebled. And nine-out-of-10 people who go onto IB want to get back into employment - but research shows that the longer they are on the benefit, the longer they are likely to be stuck on it.
Periods of inactivity can also damage mental and physical health - suicide rates are 35 times higher in long term unemployed than employed, according to government figures.
Addressing the Royal Society of Medicine's 'Pathways to Work: Enabling Rehabilitation' two-day conference, Work and Pensions Secretary Alan Johnson said that signing some people off as long-term sick was not always the best way to deal with their health problems.
"For people who are able to work again, a job can itself be an important step in the road to recovery and rehabilitation," he said.
"Rather than rest being the best remedy for back pain, for example, research now shows it can actually delay recovery and make things worse. Advising patients to stay active can help them get back to work and on with their life."
This month the government extended the Disability Discrimination Act to 600,000 disabled workers and seven million jobs. Both the draft Disability Discrimination Bill and Age Discrimination legislation are designed to help increase the opportunities for work so that for those who want to work the jobs are available.
(gmcg/mb)
The latest figures on Incapacity Benefit (IB) have found that over the last two decades the number of people on the benefit had trebled. And nine-out-of-10 people who go onto IB want to get back into employment - but research shows that the longer they are on the benefit, the longer they are likely to be stuck on it.
Periods of inactivity can also damage mental and physical health - suicide rates are 35 times higher in long term unemployed than employed, according to government figures.
Addressing the Royal Society of Medicine's 'Pathways to Work: Enabling Rehabilitation' two-day conference, Work and Pensions Secretary Alan Johnson said that signing some people off as long-term sick was not always the best way to deal with their health problems.
"For people who are able to work again, a job can itself be an important step in the road to recovery and rehabilitation," he said.
"Rather than rest being the best remedy for back pain, for example, research now shows it can actually delay recovery and make things worse. Advising patients to stay active can help them get back to work and on with their life."
This month the government extended the Disability Discrimination Act to 600,000 disabled workers and seven million jobs. Both the draft Disability Discrimination Bill and Age Discrimination legislation are designed to help increase the opportunities for work so that for those who want to work the jobs are available.
(gmcg/mb)
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17 February 2015
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
18 February 2009
Over 100,000 People Get Back To Work With LEPs
Over 100,000 people have been helped back into work through the Government's pioneering Local Employment Partnerships (LEPs), Minister for Employment Tony McNulty has announced.
Over 100,000 People Get Back To Work With LEPs
Over 100,000 people have been helped back into work through the Government's pioneering Local Employment Partnerships (LEPs), Minister for Employment Tony McNulty has announced.
17 August 2005
Government recommends care home changes
A Government's action plan to improve the quality of care home services has been welcomed as a "positive response" by the OFT. However, consumer group 'Which?' prompted the original OFT inquiry, has criticised the proposed reforms as "vague" and called for more detail to be included.
Government recommends care home changes
A Government's action plan to improve the quality of care home services has been welcomed as a "positive response" by the OFT. However, consumer group 'Which?' prompted the original OFT inquiry, has criticised the proposed reforms as "vague" and called for more detail to be included.
06 March 2014
Almost 500,000 People Helped Into Jobs Through The Work Programme
Nearly half a million people have been helped into jobs through the Work Programme and new measures will continue to improve the scheme. New measures to ensure the Work Programme continues to help more long-term unemployed back to work will see a new organisation brought in to run the scheme in one area.
Almost 500,000 People Helped Into Jobs Through The Work Programme
Nearly half a million people have been helped into jobs through the Work Programme and new measures will continue to improve the scheme. New measures to ensure the Work Programme continues to help more long-term unemployed back to work will see a new organisation brought in to run the scheme in one area.
19 February 2014
Almost 200,000 More People Now In Work
The latest employment figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the number of people in work rose by 193,000 to 30.15 million in the three months to December. The number of people unemployed fell to 2.34 million, a drop of 125,000, for the same period. The unemployment rate now stands at 7.2% with the employment rate at 72.
Almost 200,000 More People Now In Work
The latest employment figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the number of people in work rose by 193,000 to 30.15 million in the three months to December. The number of people unemployed fell to 2.34 million, a drop of 125,000, for the same period. The unemployment rate now stands at 7.2% with the employment rate at 72.
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