Eight health issues DWP want to target in 'back to work' scheme

A new blueprint for revamping the benefits system, designed to assist the "economically inactive" in finding employment, has been released. Notably, the UK faces a persistent increase in individuals who are economically inactive, especially following the pandemic's aftermath.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched the fresh 'Back to Work' scheme, which seems to focus on eight medical conditions, in a bid to tackle growing concerns regarding economic inactivity due to health issues.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall unveiled the strategy and faced the House of Commons to take questions from MPs on the recently published White Paper, discussing its ramifications for disabled citizens nationwide. The discussions highlighted that mental and musculoskeletal conditions, such as back pain, are notable health-related factors influencing the labour market and driving up costs for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

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These issues pose significant barriers, with younger individuals struggling to secure their initial job opportunities because of mental health concerns, while severe musculoskeletal disorders compel others to leave the workforce altogether. Keep up-to-date with our Money newsletter for money-saving tips—sign up here.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, which affect muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissues, are raising alarms across the UK, as they impact a wide swathe of people – from those grappling with arthritis and osteoporosis to back and neck issues, and more persistent afflictions such as fibromyalgia and sarcopenia. According to Manchester Evening News, following mental health problems, MSK disorders rank as the second primary cause for claims under the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), leaving in excess of one million Britons jobless due to these incapacitating musculoskeletal complications.

Notably, among young workers aged 16 to 34, there has been a concerning fourfold surge in the past decade in mental health-related work limitations. For the older demographic not in employment, MSK conditions predominantly drive prolonged sickness, excluding them from the workforce.

While addressing queries in the Commons, Ms Kendall expressed her understanding of public apprehensions: "We do need change. I understand how worried people are when they hear about change, but they themselves, I think, would also say the change needs to happen."

Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, posed a question to the DWP chief: "Barriers to employment and a lack of workplace support for disabled people remain persistent challenges, as well as inadequate social security payments for everyone regardless of employment status. Can [Ms Kendall] reassure disabled people that the government's new support measures will not be conditional on being able to work? " In response, the head of the Department for Work and Pensions stated: "I understand why disabled people, when they hear talk about helping people into work or reforms to sickness and disability benefits, why they're worried because of what happened over the last 14 years, we are determined to break down those barriers to work."

She further added, "I think many disabled people, given the right help and support and the right flexibility to work, could work and want to work. ".