Hundreds of sick and disabled Londoners who were “written off” as unable to work are closer to getting jobs under a landmark Government scheme, a minister has said.
In a visit to Westminster Job Centre this week, disability minister Sir Stephen Timms met with people using the new Pathways to Work Advisers.
Some 135 coaches have been deployed across London’s job centres in a bid to get those signed off sick back into work.
The Government said more than 65,000 disabled people across Britain have now been given free, tailored employment support since the scheme launched a year ago.
Sir Stephen told the Standard: “A year ago we set the target that we wanted to give this extra work coach support to 65,000 people over the course of the following 12 months and we managed that.
“These are people who the system has previously told they are incapable of work, and it's kind of written them off.
“And we know that lots of people actually can be in work, and we want to give them the support to make work feasible. The evidence is now very clear. We're publishing new evidence on this, that those who've had this additional help are significantly more likely to be in work, be in a job, and stay in work for an extended period. And we want to give people the chance of fulfilling their ambitions.”
The advisers offer one-to-one support to those who receive benefits without any requirement to look for work, known as Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) status.
They can be connected to skills training, such as IT courses and HGV qualifications.
There are currently 2.7 million people on Universal Credit with LCWRA status. Some 1.5 million have a mental or behavioural disorder and almost 200,000 are young people aged 18 to 24.
However, work coaches have warned they are struggling to find employers who will accommodate some disabled people.
Sir Stephen said a review by Sir Charlie Mayfield had looked at what needs to be implemented to tackle the problem and new approaches to workplace health were being trialled in a three-year “Vanguard Phase” between now and 2029.
He added: “I think there's also the issue of people who run into a health problem in the course of their work, and then, almost by default, give up their job, when with just a bit of give and take, they needn't have done.
“It would be in their interest and the employer's interest if they'd been able to carry on in work. So I think the ideas that Charlie Mayfield and the Vanguard employers are working up are going to be very important for changing the culture amongst employers.”
Gregory McDonald, 60, was forced out of work in June 2024 after an accident in which he shattered his pelvis.
Mr McDonald, from Camden, told the Standard: “I’ve always worked my whole life, and I was just about to start a new job when I had my accident.
“It changed my life and I was devastated. No one really wants to be on benefits, so the work the Government is doing is important. They give you the time you need to settle yourself, to gain new skills and to look for a job.”
Lorna Bastin has begun using the work coach. The 52-year-old from Camden worked in retail jobs but took some time out three years ago to care for her elderly mother and was then diagnosed with MS.
She told the Standard: “I had to stop work to become a carer and then I ended up being diagnosed with MS. It’s hard when you want to work but at my age it can be difficult to convince an employer to give you a job. I’m signing up for courses in computer skills, some basic admin, to give me some extra skills and confidence.”
