Q3 2024 Insights and Market Overview
Employment Initiatives for Disabled People: In July, Liz Kendall, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, unveiled bold reforms aimed at tackling economic inactivity, with a focus on disabled individuals and those with learning disabilities. A new government White Paper, central to Labour’s employment mission, outlined plans to increase the UK’s employment rate to 80%, specifically addressing the 2.8 million people currently out of work due to ill health or disability. Key proposals included empowering local leaders to design tailored work and health plans, improving access to rewarding employment, and introducing support for disabled people at local levels.
Benefits – The government also began testing an integrated health assessment service to simplify benefit applications for severely disabled people, with plans for a more holistic decision-making process. These changes aim to make the benefits system more efficient and reduce the need for face-to-face assessments
Learning Disability and Employment: In August, Learning Disability England continued its advocacy efforts, with campaigns and initiatives focused on improving social care, employment, and transport for people with learning disabilities. Their “Good Lives Framework” emphasized person-centered support and the need for better employment opportunities tailored to individuals’ specific needs
Additionally, the organisation highlighted the importance of accessible voting during the general election, advocating for political manifestos to be available in Easy Read formats, enhancing inclusivity for people with learning disabilities
Broader Disability Reforms: October saw the launch of a Green Paper addressing broader disability benefits reforms. While the government has put aside plans for a single benefit assessment (combining assessments for Personal Independence Payments and Universal Credit), it is exploring new approaches to streamline the process and reduce bureaucracy for disabled claimants
These reforms are part of a larger shift to make the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) more focused on employment rather than just welfare
Arts – October also marked the 40th anniversary of DaDaFest, a major disability arts festival that served as a platform for advocating disability rights through artistic expression, highlighting ongoing issues of inequality and neglect
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