DWP new £64 million change will affect thousands with health conditions

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a new plan across 15 areas of England.

The change, brought in conjuction with the Department of Health and Social Care, is part of the government's wider initiative to encourage those with health conditions back into the workforce. The WorkWell pilots will supposedly connect 59,000 people from October to local support services such as physiotherapy and counselling so they can have more geared help to either stay or return to work.

It comes following a wide range of reforms announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, including a review of how fit notes are delivered to combat against 'sick note culture'. The WorkWell service will be enforced in 15 areas including Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire, and Cornwall.

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Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride MP, said: "We are rolling out the next generation of welfare reforms so that thousands more people can gain all the benefits work brings. Too many today are falling out of work in a spiral of sickness that harms their finances, their prospects and ultimately their health, where with the right workplace adjustments and help, this needn’t be the case.

"And so we have designed WorkWell, a groundbreaking new service, that will for the first time integrate health and work advice at the local level, as part of our plan to stem the flow into economic inactivity, grow the economy, and change lives for the better."

The DWP has confirmed that people do not need to be claiming any form of benefits to receive personalised support. The government department also claims that evidence shows work is an effective way of reducing the risk of depression, improving physical health and improving financial independence.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins MP, said: "Too often, people with disabilities or poor health fall out of work with no support. We have a plan to change that and improve lives so everyone has the opportunity to find fulfilling work.

"This service will help tens of thousands of people, who will receive joined-up work and health support, tailored to their individual needs. This service, alongside a faster, simpler and fairer health service, will build a healthier workforce, and a stronger economy."

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: "It is fantastic that 15 ICSs can now start to get their WorkWell plans off the ground to provide more intensive, early-intervention support to their populations.

ICS leaders know that with the right support, people living with poor health and long-term conditions can find that good quality work helps prevent them from becoming more unwell. This helps people to live a fuller life, which in turn reduces pressure on health services."

Here are a full list of areas where WorkWell pilots are being introduced:

• Birmingham and Solihull

• Black Country

• Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

• Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

• Coventry and Warwickshire

• Frimley

• Herefordshire and Worcestershire

• Greater Manchester

• Lancashire and South Cumbria

• Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

• North Central London

• North West London

• South Yorkshire

• Surrey Heartlands