Copyright DWP – 13/10/2009
The Department for Work and Pensions has published the figures for the Work Capability Assessment, which examines whether someone is fit for work or should go onto Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Under this system, 36% of applicants were found to be fit for work, compared with 17% under the old Incapacity Benefit system.
The DWP also announced the launch of the Fit for Work pilot scheme. This is designed to bring together support such healthcare, employment, skills, housing and debt advice; test a variety of models to give the pilots the best chance of demonstrating the efficacy of early intervention; and encourage local partnerships to pool existing funds and develop new and innovative services to deliver a Fit for Work Service for people in their area with health problems, who are in work but are in danger of falling out of work.
Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham said: “Unemployment and lost working days caused by ill health costs the economy £100 billion a year and we know that being in work can be good for your wellbeing. Our Fit for Work schemes will test new, innovative and personalised services to help people back into work. We want these pilots to have a real impact and show us what works best so we can build on this investment in the future.”
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