Review into business support for Disabled and long-term sick people announced

The former chairman of John Lewis Partnership, Sir Charlie Mayfield, is tasked to lead the Keep Britain Working Review to investigate the factors behind the growing levels of inactivity, and how government and businesses can work together to turn this around.

The review comes after the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously said people who claim long-term sickness benefits should be made to look for work if they are able to. The UK Government has vowed support to help people get jobs as ministers look to reduce the number of sickness benefits claimants.

The review, the first of its kind, and following the launch of the Get Britain Working White Paper, will be one part of this government’s “Plan for Change” which hopes to kickstart economic growth in partnership with businesses, drive up prosperity and raise living standards across the UK.

With over a third of working age people reporting a long-term health condition and around a quarter classed as having a disability, the scale of the challenge according to the press release “Is stark.”

Beginning today, the review will move quickly and conclude in the Autumn of this year, with Sir Charlie Mayfield meeting businesses and health and disability organisations to identify the scale, trends, obstacles and opportunities for companies when recruiting and retaining Disabled people.

This phase will conclude in Spring with a report based on the findings from his conversations with company bosses, employees who have been supported to stay in work, and organisations who help those out of work, to inform wider engagement. Recommendations to the government are expected later this year.

The government is planning to boost employment by “breaking down barriers to opportunity and improving people’s living standards through work and life-changing support” 

Sir Charlie Mayfield, said: “Losing people from the workforce because of ill-health or disability is bad for many of the individuals, for the businesses employing them, and for the wider economy.”

“It’s a growing problem for us all and it’s one that’s more likely to be resolved by business and government working together.”

“I’m looking forward to engaging closely with businesses, government departments and the many organisations committed to improving our performance here.”

Kamran Mallick CEO of DR UK said, “The launch of the 'Keep Britain Working' review acknowledges the significant challenges faced by Disabled people and those with long-term health conditions in accessing and remaining in employment.”

“For too long, many of our community have been 'left without support' and prevented from reaching their full potential, as the government recognises. We welcome the review's focus on identifying the 'obstacles and opportunities for companies when recruiting and retaining ill and Disabled people.”

“This review must lead to concrete action and genuine co-design with Disabled people to ensure that employment support is accessible and effective. This means that Disabled People's Organisations (DPOs) must be involved in all aspects of the Review, from sitting on the advisory group to giving evidence and being consulted on early findings. Our lived experience needs to be at the heart of this review.”

“This review must lead to real change to break down the barriers that have for so long excluded Disabled people from the workplace and broader society and ensure no one is left behind.”

Dan White policy and campaigns officer at DR UK said, “There has been a lot of discussion from Government recently about Disabled people not being “economically active” and a lot that has been said has been unhelpful, negative and scaremongering.”

“Forcing work upon people who are Disabled, or sick is unacceptable and should not be a policy priority. The Government’s first focus should be on investment in public services such as education, health and social care and fixing the inaccessibility of housing, transport and employment, then we can have the discussion of assisting those who can work into work.”

“Co-operation with DPOs is essential on this, as we know in work poverty continues and there remains a huge disability-pay gap and issues with the Access to Work scheme.”