WIREDGOV

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Chairman of the Local Government Association People and Places Board, responds to the National Audit Office report on supporting disabled people into work.

“Councils know that to support people with disabilities into sustained work, who are often furthest from the labour market, much more is needed beyond employment support alone.

“This timely report shows that a locally integrated approach addressing the employment, skills and health gaps is necessary if more people with disabilities are to be supported into the workplace.                                         

“The Government’s Work and Health Programme and the support Work Coaches provide will be critical to addressing these gaps. However, ensuring the programme is adequately resourced with trained staff and commissioned locally is vital if we are to support more people with disabilities into the labour market. Where the programme has been devolved already, it is working well.   

“Improving the employability of all our residents will support inclusive growth in local communities and reduce welfare dependency.”

NAO Report:  Supporting disabled people to work