I believe we need a welfare system that supports the most vulnerable, and helps those who can work into suitable employment. That is why the Government wants to increase employment among people who have health challenges but are capable of taking steps back into work. Thanks to efforts over the last five years, the number of people with disabilities who are unemployed has already fallen by around 11 per cent in the last year alone. In Bexhill and Battle constituency, we have had considerable success in reducing unemployment and in getting those with health challenges back in to employment.
The record employment levels and strong jobs growth in recent years have benefitted many, but these benefits have yet to reach those on ESA. While 1 in 5 JSA claimants move off benefit every month, this is true of just 1 in 100 of ESA WRAG claimants. Those with health conditions and disabilities deserve better than this. In addition to providing financial security for individuals, there are economic, social and moral arguments that, for those who are able to, work is the most effective way to improve the well-being of individuals, their families and their communities.
Those in the WRAG currently receive additional cash payments but little employment support. At the moment, these people get higher payments than people on Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) in recognition of the fact they may have specific needs depending on what health challenges they face. However, simply paying a higher benefit to individuals may not be the best way to help claimants overcome these additional barriers to work they may face. In addition, the disparity in payments could discourage claimants from making the most of opportunities to help them move closer to work.
That is why the Government is aligning ESA WRAG payments with JSA, and putting the monies to better use by investing in services tailored towards helping WRAG claimants into work. The Government has committed £100 million of additional funding per year by 2020-21 specifically to help meet the needs of people with limited capability to work. This means the money will be targeted much more effectively. This new funding will be worth £60 million in 2017/18 rising to £100 million in 2020/21. It will support those with limited capability for work to take steps to move closer to the labour market, and when they are able, back to work. This additional practical support is part of a real terms increase that was announced at the Autumn Statement. How the support will be spent is going to be influenced by a Taskforce of representatives from disability charities, disabled people’s user-led organisations, employers, think tanks, provider representatives and local authorities.
In order to do more, the Chancellor announced in the Autumn Statement that the Government will publish a White Paper that will set out reforms to improve the system of support for people with health conditions and disabilities. In addition to these reforms there is an emerging package of support which will strengthen the offer to claimants with a health condition or disability:
- Universal Credit (UC) is already beginning to transform people’s lives by introducing earlier support and putting claimants in the best possible position to move into and stay in work. Under UC, claimants with health conditions and disabilities will gain more support earlier in their claim to take steps towards work with their dedicated Work Coach working alongside health professionals to ensure they receive personalised integrated support;
- The DWP and Department of Health have created the Work and Health Unit to help support people with health conditions and disabled people back into employment. This Joint Unit has at least £115 million of funding, including at least £40m for a work and health innovation fund, to pilot new ways to join up across the health and employment systems;
- In the Autumn Statement the DWP announced that they will introduce a new Work and Health Programme to focus on providing the best possible support for claimants with health conditions or disabilities, as well as those who are long-term unemployed;
- Returning to suitable work can improve mental health, and that is why the Government is committed to ensuring that people with mental health conditions receive effective support to return to, and remain in, work. £43 million is being invested over the next three years in trialling ways to provide specialist support for people with mental health conditions;
- The Government also recognises the importance of promoting positive attitudes towards employing disabled people, and seeks to do this by challenging the attitudes of employers towards recruiting and retaining disabled people through the Disability Confident campaign.
These reforms are aimed at improving the quality of life of those in greatest need. It is worth noting that we spend around £50 billion every year on benefits to support people with disabilities or health conditions, this is over 6 per cent of all government spending. I recognise that disabled people face extra costs of living, which is why the Personal Independence Payment will continue to provide for these extra costs of living. Alongside this, the additional ESA Support Group rate will continue to be paid to those with the most severe work-limiting conditions and disabilities.
In the case of cancer patients, the Government has already listened to representations from cancer charities to ensure sufferers are treated fairly. In January 2013, for example, the ESA rules were changed so those receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy will always be placed in the Support Group and the majority of cases will be assessed on medical evidence rather than a Work Capability Assessment. Those ESA claimants who do find themselves in the WRAG have been deemed capable of some work-related activity at the time of their assessment by a trained professional; however, if an individual's condition deteriorates they may make another application for ESA and have their eligibility reassessed. On this basis they may then be moved into the Support Group.
Update 01/03/2016
The House of Lords have made suggested amendments to the draft bill which was put to it by the House of Commons. Whilst some of the amendments have been accepted by the House of Commons, it has not accepted certain specific amendments which would have materially impacted the intention of the bill. I have voted with the Government in the House of Commons in order to preserve the bill and deliver the benefits which I have outlined herein. I have been contacted by constituents whether I will back the House of Lords or the Government position on this bill. I will continue to back the Government position on this matter.