I want to encourage as many people as possible to have a look at the Government’s recent Green Paper on supporting more disabled people to work. Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper – GOV.UK
I’ve waded through all the 301 paragraphs and come up with some headline comments:
- Hearts and minds.
Disabled people are already disheartened by bad health, job loss, deprivation and powerlessness. They’ve been vilified by the media and (some) politicians as “scroungers”. Employers only perceive risk, even when unfounded. Officials’ past targets haven’t helped. Success will need more than some benefit changes and a “conversation”. Instead, everyone needs a much more substantial offer of help, practical and realistic support, comprehensive interventions and positive leadership that demonstrate real commitment and ambition to improve the situation of millions of people, of employers and wider society. Wrap it all in a multi-media promotion package that reaches every level of our communities to change culture, attitudes and behaviour for more success.
- Employers.
Whether they are public, business or voluntary sector, bosses and their staff are understandably wary of taking on disabled people who have so frequently been lambasted in the media and more. They need much better help and incentive to retain all those workers who develop health problems. The right help, information, practical support and reputational reward might change their attitudes, stiffened with real risk of employment law.
- Enterprise.
Working disabled people are more likely to be self-employed and running their own businesses than others. Disabled people offer an important enterprise and growth opportunity for the national economy meaning that any strategy should optimise their potential with tailored support. Here’s another open door worth pushing.
- Cross-Departmental.
It is excellent that DWP is linking with Health but more departments need to be involved: at least, Education for those new vocational skills, Business and HMRC for enterprise, Justice (with ACAS and ETS) for employment law, Government Digital Services for accessibility and all of them for their Public Sector Equality Duties.
Please would you share these ideas and add your own feedback to the Paper.
If you don’t have time, you could just tell DWP that you agree with some or all of my points by e-mailing them at: consultation.pathwaystowork@dwp.gov.uk