In England, the Department for Work and Pensions is rolling out the Connect to Work initiative across 15 regions, allocating £338 million to support disabled and ill individuals in securing stable employment over the next five years, aiming for a total support package of £3.8 billion.
The program’s current strategy is to assist 300,000 people in England and Wales in finding jobs within the next five years by providing coaching, job matching services, and support for both participants and employers. Nevertheless, business leaders have expressed reservations about the government’s approach.
Mary Maguire, the Managing Director at Astute Recruitment Ltd, believes that the recruitment system itself requires restructuring rather than just enhancing support for disabled individuals. She criticized the present system, stating that recruitment agencies receive irrelevant referrals from job centers, mainly for able-bodied job seekers.
Sarah Gatford, Director – Head of Interactions at Sarah Gatford Ltd, also argues that the focus of the initiative is misplaced, suggesting that the emphasis should be on employers’ responsibilities. She cautioned that the program’s success hinges on ensuring that disabled individuals are not compelled to work in environments that cannot accommodate their needs.
Scott Gallacher, Director at Rowley Turton, highlighted the employment landscape’s challenges. He noted a decline in job vacancies over the past three years and raised concerns about increasing labor costs due to government policies, such as rising National Insurance contributions and Minimum Wage rates.
The initiative has been introduced in early phases in regions like West London, where £42.8 million has been allocated to help 10,800 individuals secure employment through specialized coaching. Initial reports from the government indicate positive outcomes from these initial implementations.
Secretary of Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, emphasized the importance of supporting sick and disabled individuals to transition into stable employment as part of the government’s Plan for Change, aiming to alleviate poverty and enhance economic stability.
Cllr Tom Hunt, Chair of the LGA’s Inclusive Growth Committee, praised the government’s decision to provide grant funding for the Connect to Work program, emphasizing the need for a localized approach to assist individuals back into employment, tailored to the specific needs of each community.
For more information about the Connect to Work initiative, visit the Gov.uk website.
The initial areas where Connect to Work will be rolled out first are: