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25/01/2005
Back to work scheme to be extended
A government scheme aimed at helping people on incapacity benefits back into employment will be extended to a third of all claimants in under two years, it has been announced.
Work and Pensions Secretary, Alan Johnson, described the Pathways to Work service as an "ambitious programme" and added that it had doubled the normal rate of job entries in the areas where it was tested. Mr Johnson said: "By October, 420,000 people on incapacity benefits will be able to take advantage of Pathways, which has already helped thousands realise their aspiration to work. By April 2006, this will rise to three quarters of a million and, by October 2006, 900,000 will be able to get help."
Pathways to Work offers early sustained support to involve Jobcentre Plus, the NHS and the voluntary sector, to support people with health conditions and disabilities.
Mr Johnson said that the expansion of Pathways to Work would cover the most disadvantaged areas, containing the greatest concentration of people on incapacity benefit.
He said: "Pathways has given hope to people who thought they would never work again, giving them the practical job advice and rehabilitation support they need. Our investment is already paying off with more people returning to work, the lowest level of unemployment in 30 years and the numbers on incapacity benefits falling for consecutive quarters."
The scheme was first piloted in October 2003 in Renfewshire, Derby and Bridgend, and was followed by another four pilot schemes, in Essex, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Somerset and East Lancashire, in April 2004.
The pilots included the provision of a personal advisor; NHS rehabilitation support and return to work credit of £40 per week.
(KMcA/SP)
Work and Pensions Secretary, Alan Johnson, described the Pathways to Work service as an "ambitious programme" and added that it had doubled the normal rate of job entries in the areas where it was tested. Mr Johnson said: "By October, 420,000 people on incapacity benefits will be able to take advantage of Pathways, which has already helped thousands realise their aspiration to work. By April 2006, this will rise to three quarters of a million and, by October 2006, 900,000 will be able to get help."
Pathways to Work offers early sustained support to involve Jobcentre Plus, the NHS and the voluntary sector, to support people with health conditions and disabilities.
Mr Johnson said that the expansion of Pathways to Work would cover the most disadvantaged areas, containing the greatest concentration of people on incapacity benefit.
He said: "Pathways has given hope to people who thought they would never work again, giving them the practical job advice and rehabilitation support they need. Our investment is already paying off with more people returning to work, the lowest level of unemployment in 30 years and the numbers on incapacity benefits falling for consecutive quarters."
The scheme was first piloted in October 2003 in Renfewshire, Derby and Bridgend, and was followed by another four pilot schemes, in Essex, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Somerset and East Lancashire, in April 2004.
The pilots included the provision of a personal advisor; NHS rehabilitation support and return to work credit of £40 per week.
(KMcA/SP)
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Tories To Shake-Up Incapacity Benefits
Incapacity benefits would be cut by the Tories in a bid to "get Britain working', the party said today. Opening the Conservatives' conference in Manchester, David Cameron (pictured) said the UK faced a "twin crisis" of debt and unemployment.
02 February 2005
Government announces incapacity benefit changes
The government has launched a series of changes to incapacity benefits, in order to help get more people back into employment.
Government announces incapacity benefit changes
The government has launched a series of changes to incapacity benefits, in order to help get more people back into employment.
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