A report by the Department for Work and Pensions on how to help unemployed people find jobs found that 27 percent of respondents thought they could work in the future, but only if their physical health improved.
Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary told ITV Friday that some claimants “take the mickey” despite their willingness to work.
She added, “I believe that the survey today shows that despite the myths, many people who are on disability or sickness benefits want to go back to work.”
DWP clients with mental health issues were more likely to have this feeling: 44% felt that they could return to work if they improved their health, while 49% believed they would never work or be able work again. Of this last group, the majority (62%) are over 50 years old and 66% believe their health will worsen in future.
One quarter of respondents said that they could not commute to work due to their health, but would be able work from home.
Kendall: “Many [people receiving benefits] are either people who have lost their jobs and desperately want to return to work, or they really want back into the workforce once they get their health conditions under control.
“I think that there are more people out there who want to be employed.” As there have always been, I am sure that there are those who should not be receiving these benefits, who are making fun of them. This is unacceptable – it must stop.
According to the government, 270,000 young people between 16 and 34 years old do not have jobs due to long-term illness or mental disorders.
According to the DWP, this number has increased by 60,000 (26%) in the last year.
In the UK, there were 9.3 million economically inactive people aged 16-64 in January. This is an increase of 713,000 from the Covid pandemic.
The new interim study Work aspirations and Support needs, revealed a connection between the use of disability and health benefits and the challenges of the healthcare system. Two in five (41%) customers were on a treatment waiting list, and 50% of those who were unemployed felt that their ability to return to work depended on receiving treatment.
The report noted that a key challenge was the complicated relationship customers have with DWP. Customers who had not ruled out permanent work but were not yet in employment were concerned that DWP might force them to look for work they were not suitable for. They were also worried about losing their benefits if they worked.
Unique needs
The interim report – the complete report will be completed in the spring – revealed that people who were unemployed with conditions wished to receive help from DWP, which was tailored to their individual needs. The study stated that they wanted to feel supported, not monitored or blamed. They wanted more integrated services, so they wouldn’t have to explain their health condition to different agencies and staff.
Recruiters are crucial in removing these barriers. They help businesses find talent and support jobseekers through the recruitment process.
Shazia Ejaz, director of campaigns at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, said that recruiters play a crucial role in helping people get jobs. This is especially true for temporary work. Many people are interested in working but they face obstacles, such as skills gaps, health issues, or lack access to opportunities. Recruiters are crucial in removing these barriers. They help businesses find talent and support jobseekers in the recruitment process.
The temporary work can be a lifeline
“Recruiters play an important role in helping individuals build confidence, improve their social and communication skills and get the support they need to be successful in work. The temporary work can be a lifeline for people who are unemployed. This allows people to quickly return to work, gain valuable skills and experience, and often lead to permanent positions in the future.”
The report is based on an interview of 3,401 customers who receive health and disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit.
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