In the wake of Labour’s unveiling of their Back to Work scheme, disability equality charity Scope has stepped forward with a mixed response.
James Taylor, the executive director of strategy at Scope, lauded certain elements while issuing an urgent call for action on critical issues.
He stated: “The government has set out a positive vision. Tackling economic inactivity by addressing the root causes of ill health and NHS waiting lists, rather than demonising people who are too unwell to work, is a victory for common sense.”
Taylor commended Labour’s “localised approach” but urged the party to “go further” in overcoming additional hurdles that disabled individuals encounter in employment.
He highlighted the need to address “employers’ negative attitudes, inflexible working practices, and backlogs getting the right support”.
In a pressing appeal, he also demanded that the DWP “reassure disabled people who aren’t well enough to work that they won’t be forced into unsuitable jobs, or have vital financial support taken away”.
This concern looms large for many as they navigate the evolving benefits system under Labour.
Liz Kendall, the new Work and Pensions Secretary, announced the government’s pledges related to the Back to Work Plan in Leeds today. The initiative aims to combat economic inactivity as part of Labour’s primary goal to boost the economy.
Currently, 9.4 million people are economically inactive, with 2.8 million out of work due to long-term sickness. Kendall confirmed the three pillars of the new plan to tackle these numbers with a new national jobs and career service.
This pillar will see Jobcentre Plus and National Careers Services merged to help support people into better work and paid opportunities. Additionally, the plan encompasses “new work, health and skills plans for the economically inactive” which will be led locally.
Lastly, the plan includes a guarantee for all young people between the ages of 18 and 21, providing opportunities for training, an apprenticeship or helping them find work.
The secretary shared: “We’ll create more good jobs, make work pay, transform skills, and overhaul jobcentres, alongside action to tackle the root causes of worklessness including poor physical and mental health.”
This plan is also set to go hand-in-hand with Labour’s ambitions around the NHS, ideally working together to get “Britain back to health and back to work” as the secretary said.
