A government investment of £240 million to tackle economic inactivity and help disabled people and long-term sick into work has been welcomed as “joined up thinking”, by the CIPD.
However, the employer body added that it will be “crucial” to maintain a strong focus on improving access to occupational health services for people in work to prevent them falling back out of work.
The government’s ‘Get Britain Working’ package, unveiled by the chancellor yesterday, will cover work, skills and health support for disabled people and long-term sick and will speed up the rollout of local services.
With 2.8 million people out of work due to long-term sickness, the UK is the only G7 country that has higher levels of economic inactivity now than before the pandemic.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “We will build a Britain where people who can work, will work, turning the page on the recent rise in economic inactivity and decline and towards a future where people have good jobs and our benefits bill is under control.”
Ben Willmott, head of public policy at the CIPD, called the investment in local Get Britain Working trailblazers “a positive step” to tackle the high levels of inactivity due to ill health.
“More joined-up support for people’s wellbeing and skills development can play a positive role in helping more people with health problems return to work,” he said.
“This development signals a welcome intent to bring together national and regional approaches to improving the health of the workforce and boosting labour market participation. The trailblazers will need to ensure there is effective brokerage and relationship building with employers to ensure people have access to jobs that give them the flexibility, skills development opportunities and support they need to get into and stay in employment.
“It will also be crucial to ensure that there remains a strong focus from the government on improving access to occupational health services for those in work. This will ensure that fewer working people fall out of employment due to a disability or long-term health condition.”
Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The high number of working age people who are economically inactive is a real and daily concern to employers. Many firms are struggling to fill job vacancies, and this is constraining their operations and profitability.
“We welcome further cash investment into tackling economic activity. Businesses will be pleased to hear about plans to improve skills, health and employment support for people who want to work – alongside support for young people to start and build their careers.
“It’s important these changes are delivered quickly to help firms develop thriving workforces, so they can grow and invest further in the years to come.”
