Disabled people to have their say in shaping the future of the benefits system

21 Jul 2021 09:38 AM

The new Health and Disability Green Paper – launched yesterday – will pave the way for a fairer future of the benefits system to better meet the needs of disabled people and those with health conditions.

The consultation includes changes which could:

The Green Paper builds on the recent announcement that people entering the final year of their life will have fast-track access to the benefits system. The 6-month rule for people nearing the end of their lives claiming benefits will be replaced with a new 12-month, end of life approach, mirroring the current definition of end of life used across the NHS.

Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson said:

I am incredibly pleased that in the course of putting this consultation together, we have been able to identify key themes for improvement.

We already spend a record amount supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, and have made good progress at supporting more disabled people into work but we are ambitious for further improvement – and I am grateful to the disabled people and stakeholders who have contributed so far.

In addition, the government publishes its response to the Health is Everyone’s Business consultation, reaffirming the government’s ambition to see 1 million more disabled people in work by 2027 and outlining how employers will be supported on recruitment, retraining and career progression for disabled people.

The Health and Disability Green Paper is open for 12 weeks, and will run alongside a series of consultation events with disabled people and those with health conditions, and their representatives.

This will include events through virtual channels and face-to-face events covering England, Scotland and Wales, in order to maximise the reach of the consultation and inform changes that will improve people’s lives.

Following the consultation, detailed proposals will be brought forward in a White Paper next year, setting out how people can be enabled to take up work and live more independently, and outline the changes the government wants to make to the benefits system.

Additional information: