Young people with disabilities will be offered government-funded jobs sooner under an expanded employment scheme.
The programme will allow 18 to 24-year-olds receiving health or disability benefits to volunteer for a job three months after their Work Capability Assessment.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden announced the plans before Labour’s annual conference kicked off in Liverpool.
Currently, young people who are out of work have to have been claiming Universal Credit for 18 months before they can receive an offer through the government’s jobs guarantee scheme.
Those taking part will also receive mentoring and support with mental health, finances and housing to help them prepare for work.
McFadden said Labour was ‘putting long-term sick and disabled people at the front of the queue from April next year’.
The government wants the scheme to help 90,000 more young people into work by the next general election.
Former cabinet minister Alan Milburn, who was asked by Keir Starmer to examine the number of young people not in education, employment or training, said earlier this year 45% of those out of work reported having a disability, up from 21.1% in 2013-14.
Labour conference advancements
During the annual event, Chancellor John Healey unveiled plans to cut welfare spending, deeming it ‘more than an economic must – it’s a moral duty’.
‘The best thing we can offer a young person is not a benefit payment – it’s a first job with training and a wage’.
He also announced an expansion of the Local Apprenticeships Service for mayors in England, which he said would deliver thousands more apprenticeships for young people.
Closing the gap
Responding to the plans, Mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotheram said: ‘Too many young people with disabilities or long-term health conditions have spent years being told what they can’t do, rather than being given the chance to show what they can.
‘This is exactly the kind of intervention that can change lives.’
However, the Conservatives criticised the announcement, questioning how the scheme would be paid for.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said: ‘Almost every disabled person I speak to – young or old – tells me they want to work. With 300,000 fewer jobs under Labour, that’s become even harder.
‘Labour could have tackled that problem head on by cutting the burdens on businesses. Instead, they are bringing back a Conservative post-pandemic scheme. Andy Burnham clearly has no new ideas.
‘Nor have Labour explained how this new policy will be funded. Is it yet another ‘spend now and hope for savings later’ scheme?’
Image: Jakub Pabis
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