Justin Tomlinson MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, has announced the publication of the Health and Disability Green Paper.
Shaping Future Support: The Health and Disability Green Paper sets out the Government’s commitment to making sure disabled people and people with health conditions can lead the most independent lives possible and reach their full potential. The Green Paper explores how the benefits system can better meet needs including by improving people’s experience of services, enabling independent living, improving employment outcomes and ensuring disability benefits are sustainable in the long term.
Find the Green Paper here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/shaping-future-support-the-health-and-disability-green-paper
The Green Paper was influenced by disabled people and their carers, such as those who took the time to meet with Anthony and Minister Tomlinson earlier this year.
A 12 week consultation has now opened, where disabled people and their representatives are invited to share their views. Take part in the consultation here: https://getinvolved.dwp.gov.uk/05-policy-group/health-and-disability-green-paper/
Following the consultation, a White Paper will be published in 2022 setting out how services can be improved to better enable people to take up work and live more independently. The Government wants to ensure that the health and disability benefits system is affordable and efficient into the future, so that we can continue to provide support for the people who need it most.
A separate document called ‘Health is Everyone’s Business’ has also been published following a consultation. In light of feedback and the impacts of COVID-19, a package of measures to reduce ill-health related job loss includes:
- Strengthening existing guidance to help employers support disabled people and people with long-term health conditions to remain in work, including by managing any related sickness absence.
- Improving the information and guidance available to employers to enable them to provide the right support for employees at the right time.
- Improving Occupational Health access especially for SMEs and self-employed people.
The Department for Work & Pensions will continue to work with key stakeholder organisations, employers and employees to reduce the chance that individuals are left behind.
