Ministers announce plans to help people back into work
The Minister meets Helen Ternan and Pat Clarke, Enniskillen JBO.
The Government today announced the extension of the Pathways to Work pilots in Northern Ireland and published significant new proposals to provide further support to help people stay in, or return to, work.
As part of the Skills and Science Package, funding has been provided to extend the current three Pathways to Work pilots in Northern Ireland to a further seven areas by the end of the year. The additional funding will enable more people with health and disability related barriers to access a framework of practical and financial help to support them into work.
In addition, new proposals, announced today in the Department for Work and Pensions Green Paper – A new deal for welfare: Empowering people to work, have been welcomed by Social Development Minister David Hanson and Employment and Learning Minister Angela Smith who said this was the chance for people to comment on the proposals before final decisions are made.
David Hanson said: “We, in Northern Ireland, are well aware of the corrosive effect of economic inactivity both for individuals and for communities. This is a particular problem for people in Northern Ireland. We have a duty to help as many people as possible to realise their potential and to share in the prosperity which most of us enjoy. There is no doubt that work is the best route out of poverty.”
The Minister continued: “Most people of working age who go on to benefits want to return to work – this package of proposals will help them to realise this aspiration. There is no question of forcing ill or disabled people to return to work – we are providing financial encouragement and practical support to help people to return to work.”
Angela Smith said: “I am delighted to confirm today that the existing Pathways to Work pilots will be extended during 2006 to a further seven areas in Northern Ireland. This will enable Northern Ireland to match the level of provision in Great Britain and will ensure that 30% of those making a claim for incapacity benefit will have access to this initiative. The Pathways to Work initiative is already showing encouraging results across Great Britain with many thousands of people being helped back into work and getting jobs. We look forward to similar successes in Northern Ireland. We will strengthen the support available from trained Personal Advisers and provide access to other help, including condition management programmes, to be provided in partnership with the Health Service to help those temporarily unable to work. We also aim to improve workplace health to try to reduce the numbers becoming ill in the first place and the support available when people do become ill.”
The Green Paper proposals include:
• measures to minimise the risk of employees becoming ill or disabled in the first place, working in partnership with employers on occupational health and safety and with the health and safety authorities;
• proposals to support employees through periods of transition and to rehabilitate them when they experience illness or disability, working in conjunction with the Health Service generally and GPs in particular;
• rolling out the approach adopted in the Pathways to Work pilots to ensure much more intensive and supportive engagement with those claiming incapacity benefits, including access to “condition management programmes”;
• reform of Statutory Sick Pay to ease the administrative burdens on employers;
• replacing incapacity benefits with a new Employment and Support Allowance for new claimants;
• measures to encourage lone parents, in particular those whose youngest child has reached age 11, to engage in work-related activities;
• reform of Housing Benefit by introducing a local housing allowance.
David Hanson explained: “The proposals are a good example of joined-up government. They bring together the work and interests of a number of Departments and bodies including the Health and Safety Executive, the Health Service, the Department for Employment and Learning and the Department for Social Development to provide a comprehensive package of help and support.”
Pointing out the importance of the proposals for employers, Angela Smith said: “We are all aware of the costs to business when employees are absent from work. We all must play our part - employers, employees and government - to help people stay in or return to work as soon as possible.”
It is expected that the Green Paper proposals, if implemented, will extend to Northern Ireland and both Ministers urged all those with an interest in promoting employment and tackling disadvantage – local politicians, special interest groups, business and trade unions – to take the opportunity to respond to the consultation.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Green Paper A new deal for welfare: Empowering people to work can be found in the Consultation Zone.
2. David Hanson and Angela Smith are writing to political parties and interest groups seeking their views on the proposals. The consultation period runs until 21 April 2006.
3. Media enquiries to the Department for Social Development Press Office on 028 9082 9496.