Latest news with #GetBritainWorking
Daily Record
13-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Number of Lanarkshire locals claiming Jobseeker's Allowance drops according to latest data
A particular success is the 50-plus age group, where more than 140 people in South Lanarkshire have returned to work. Latest official data shows the number of jobless people in Lanarkshire has gone down. This week's employment statistics show a seven per cent reduction in the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in South Lanarkshire. A particular success is the 50-plus age group, where more than 140 people in South Lanarkshire have returned to work. A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: 'We know that by targeting personal support to every jobseeker, people gain the confidence to develop their abilities and skills to re-join the work force, or progress in their career. 'That's why Work Coaches are working hard, ensuring jobseekers know how they can benefit from the huge amount of support available. Specialist support also continues to be available for those aged 50-plus, or with a health condition, so they remain connected with opportunities. 'During the busy summer season, jobcentres are focussed on working with employers to increase the supply of new workers to help fill their vacancies, currently in retail and construction sectors where we have delivered work experience placements and sector-based work academy programmes.' In neighbouring North Lanarkshire, there was a four per cent drop in the number of people out of work. A focus on youth has seen 40 young people find or return to work with the help and support of their work coaches. Government Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern, added: 'Supporting more people into work and putting more money in the pockets of working people is at the heart of our Plan for Change. 'That's why we are transforming the way we help people into secure, well-paid jobs. Six months after we launched Get Britain Working, we are already seeing the benefits with economic activity at a record high, with 500,000 more people in employment since we entered office and real wages growing more since July than in the decade after 2010. 'People all over the country are benefitting from increased training opportunities and the newly-launched Jobs and Careers Service will allow us to test new and innovative approaches to personalise employment support.'
Glasgow Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
DWP reveals new figures about unemployment across Glasgow
New figures from the DWP have revealed an increase in the number of people in employment across Glasgow this year. There has been particular success in the 50 Plus age group, where the claimant count has fallen by 2% compared to this time last year. Read more: UK facing youth unemployment crisis as young people not prepared for work A jobcentre manager said: "We know that by targeting personal support to every jobseeker, people gain the confidence to develop their abilities and skills. "That's why Work Coaches are working hard, ensuring jobseekers know how they can benefit from the huge amount of support available. "Specialist support also continues to be available for those aged 50-plus, or with a health condition, so they remain connected with opportunities." The jobcentre is working alongside employers to increase the supply of new workers in the summer season, particularly in the hospitality sector. Scotland has witnessed a rise in employment figures with 2.686 million people currently employed, an increase of 53,000 on the quarter and an additional 95,000 on the year. As a result, the overall employment rate has risen to 75%, an improvement of 0.9 percentage points on the quarter and 2.1 percentage points on the year. However, there are still 117,000 people unemployed, an increase of 14,000 on the quarter, as well as 403,000 people in non-working households. The unemployment rate stands at 4.2%, which is 0.4 percentage points higher than the previous quarter. Read more: 'Get job ready': Work coaches available to support Glasgow's jobseekers Alison McGovern, Government Minister for Employment, said: "Supporting more people into work and putting more money in the pockets of working people is at the heart of our Plan for Change. 'That's why we are transforming the way we help people into secure, well-paid jobs. "Six months after we launched Get Britain Working, we are already seeing the benefits with economic activity at a record high, with 500,000 more people in employment since we entered office and real wages growing more since July than in the decade after 2010. "People all over the country are benefitting from increased training opportunities and the newly launched Jobs and Careers Service will allow us to test new and innovative approaches to personalised employment support."
Wales Online
26-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
DWP new plan for PIP claimants with three common conditions
DWP new plan for PIP claimants with three common conditions This investment will allocate up to £300,000 to each locality in Wales and England The scheme aligns with the Labour Government's Plan for Change (Image: Getty ) The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has unveiled a new initiative to fast-track treatment for individuals with back, joint, and muscle problems in regions with the longest waiting times for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. This is a key component of the UK Government's latest 'Get Britain Working' white paper. Recent statistics from the DWP indicate that as of the end of January, over 1.1 million people in England and Wales were in receipt of Personal Independence Payments (PIP). After this month's annual uprating, the value of a successful PIP claim now ranges from £116.80 to £749.80 per four-week payment cycle. The Government is allocating a £3.5 million fund, to be shared among 17 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across England, aimed at enhancing MSK services as part of its crusade against economic inactivity — where individuals are neither employed nor actively seeking employment. This investment will allocate up to £300,000 to each locality in Wales and England targeting one of the principal causes of economic inactivity. The scheme aligns with the Labour Government's Plan for Change, aspiring to "put more money into people's pockets and get the NHS back on its feet", reports the Daily Record. The MSK Community Delivery Programme, overseen by NHS England's GIRFT programme, is set to equip ICBs with the necessary resources and guidance to streamline MSK patient treatment, reduce waiting times and assist patients' return to work. Article continues below Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern MP, recently remarked: "For too long people locked out of work with health issues have been forgotten about and denied the support they need to get well and get working. It's stifling our economy and preventing those eager to progress in life from unleashing their full potential." McGovern continued: "This multi-million-pound funding boost means musculoskeletal patients across the country will get the help they need, as we give clinical leaders the resources to innovate, get people off waiting lists and get Britain working again." According to the UK Government, 2.8 million individuals are not working due to long-standing health conditions, with MSK being the second most cited reason after mental health. Approximately 646,000 people, which equates to nearly one in four (23%), claim MSK as their chief health concern. With waiting lists for MSK services forming the longest backlog in the community sector in England—standing at 348,799 individuals as of September 2024, and an estimated 23.4 million workdays lost due to MSK ailments in 2022—the push for improvement is imperative. Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, recently remarked: "With prevention, early detection and treatment, we know the 17 million people with musculoskeletal issues in England could better manage their conditions, improving their quality of life and enabling them to rejoin the workforce. "Through the Plan for Change, the government is taking decisive action to drive down waiting lists, improve treatment options and boost the economy." In several of the 17 ICB locations leading the implementation of this initiative, NHS England's Further Faster 20 programme and the UK Government's newly unveiled WorkWell programme are also being conducted. Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Versus Arthritis, commented: "With over 20 million people living with musculoskeletal conditions, including 10 million with arthritis, Versus Arthritis understands the devastating impact these conditions can have on working lives. "Arthritis can cause debilitating pain, joint stiffness and prevent people doing everyday tasks, with work sometimes made to feel an impossible challenge. "MSK Community Services can be an invaluable resource for people with arthritis, and we are delighted to see the launch of this programme in dedicated sites across England, and in the future across the whole country." Article continues below The Government unveiled the Get Britain Working White Paper in November, marking the most significant overhaul of employment support in a generation. This initiative aims to integrate skills and health to increase employment rates and career progression.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Midlands areas named among child poverty hotspots
A number of Midlands areas have been named among the UK's child poverty hotspots. A total of 4.5 million children were living in poverty in the year ending March 2024 - the last full year under the Conservative Government - according to the latest figures from the DWP. A new interactive map (below) allows people to check rates in their postcode. Areas coloured in darker purple have higher deprivation levels. READ MORE: Five-word text message landing on phones could empty your bank account Get our local newsletters like Black Country News, MySolihull and MySuttonColdfield straight to your inbox The Birmingham areas of Bordesley Green and Heartlands were third and fourth on the national list, with seven in 10 kids living in poverty. Figures showed more evidence of the north/south divide, with the 20 worst affected areas all in the north of England and Birmingham. Taking a closer look at the map, a number of the worst-hit areas can be seen in east and south east Birmingham, as well as Aston. Struggling areas include Ward End; Tyseley and Hay Mills; and Bromford and Hodge Hill. Parts of Walsall, Sandwell and Wolverhampton also have around half of children living in poverty. It comes amid the continued row over the two-child benefit cap, labelled by critics as "cruel" amid claims it is responsible for deepening child poverty. Under the cap, parents can only claim Universal Credit and tax credits for their first two children. As poorer families tend to be bigger, this policy hits those struggling the most. Pressure is continuing on the Labour Government to scrap the cap. Joseph Howes, CEO of Buttle UK and chair of the End Child Poverty Coalition, said: 'Scrapping the two-child limit is a crucial first step to address rising child poverty across the UK. 'By doing this the Government could also see a boost to local economies, targeting some of the most deprived areas of the country. 'We don't want to see another year of families suffering as a result of the two-child limit. "The Government must scrap this policy as part of their soon to be published strategy to tackle child poverty." A Government spokesperson said: 'No child should be in poverty – that's why our ministerial taskforce is developing an ambitious strategy to give every child the best start in life as part of our Plan for Change. 'Alongside delivering on our Get Britain Working reforms to support people into good jobs and make everyone better off, we have increased the Living Wage, uprated benefits and are supporting 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions to help low-income households.'
New Statesman
19-05-2025
- Health
- New Statesman
Parity of esteem has never been delivered
A fan holds a sign promoting mental health awareness, outside Wolverhampton Wanderers' Molineux stadium. Photo by Dan Mullan / Getty Images. Before becoming an MP, I worked in the NHS for 22 years, primarily in mental health services. In my previous profession, I had seen the worst of it: children as young as nine self-harming, and people taking their lives whilst on waiting lists. The so-called 'parity of esteem' the coalition government had spoken about was never delivered. In fact, mental health services were some of the first to be cut as the NHS's budgets tightened in the austerity period. But since then we have seen drastic social changes which have worsened young peoples' mental health. Generation Z are more dependent on social media and more isolated from their peers. Technology has become both more central to their daily lives and accessible from an early age. As a result, their need for mental health services has increased at a time when they have been depleted and it's harder than ever to access treatment. Our system and attitudes towards mental health are outdated. The fact it has taken 42 years to update the UK's primary piece of mental health legislation is perhaps the biggest indictment of how reluctant we have been to address it. I was pleased to hear in the King's Speech that this government is ready to grasp the nettle of mental health reform and pass a new Bill that addresses the multifaceted issues caused by the 1983 Mental Health Act. That includes the lack of autonomy given to patients, and the class and racial disparities of those detained under the provisions of the law. Many patients are reliant on the NHS for long-term care after being discharged, and we cannot solve the crisis unless we look at a wider approach which encompasses social care, local agencies to support patients who need rehousing, and, most importantly, rethink what we expect from the NHS. Legislation can only take us so far. I know from my own experience that recruitment and retention is something the government must consider in their Workforce Plan – expected to be published this summer. Fewer people want to become mental health nurses, and it's understandable why: hours are long, and the pay is low compared to the private sector. This means that we rely on huge numbers of foreign workers, which is unsustainable. The long-term solution is to incentivise local people to begin lifetime careers in the NHS. That means investing in the workforce, not trying to constantly do more with less. We must be willing to talk about the merits of other reforms outside of the healthcare system – such welfare reforms in the government's Get Britain Working plans. I know from my previous profession that many people with mental health issues and long-term health conditions can thrive in the workplace when given the necessary support, and it can hugely benefit their mental wellbeing. The Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall was correct in her assessment that health and welfare are 'two sides of the same coin'. This can be seen most of all in young people. The Neet population (not in employment, education, or training) has been growing – it is around one in eight people aged 16-24. These people have disproportionately high mental health issues. We currently have 2.8 million people locked out of work due to long-term health conditions – 200,000 of whom are actively searching for employment. Part of the future of the mental health system will be providing the correct support for people – helping them raise their living standards and improving their mental health. The mental health system will be in a constant state of evolution. My former colleagues in the mental health sector will be learning to grapple with issues faced by a generation increasingly dependent on technology which makes them more connected with the rest of the world, yet more isolated from their peers and more in need of mental health services than ever before. This article first appeared in the 15 May Spotlight policy report on Healthcare. To read the full report click here. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Related
