More money to help disabled workers into sustained employment

More money will be available to help disabled workers move into sustained employment announced Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Peter Hain today.

Mr Hain announced changes to WORKSTEP, a programme that helps disabled people find and retain paid employment. The changes will mean the sustained progression payment will be increased fourfold from £500 to £2000. During a visit to Newco, which delivers the WORKSTEP programme for the London Borough of Newham Council, Peter Hain said: "We have made major progress in helping disabled people into work and these changes will give even more disabled people the opportunity they deserve to move into sustained and fulfilling employment. By increasing the funding in this way we are encouraging providers to help more individuals who are able to progress to work without the support that WORKSTEP provides. This in turn will free up valuable resources to help more disabled people."

Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People said: "The aim of this move is to provide a better financial incentive for providers to progress customers into unsupported, independent work when they are able and ready to. We do of course recognise that there are many people who will need the long term support that WORKSTEP can provide, possibly for the whole of their working lives, and we will continue to ensure that they receive this support for as long as they need it. There is no change in the number of places currently filled by WORKSTEP participants. But we are determined to help more disabled people fulfil their true potential in work."

WORKSTEP is a supported employment programme aimed at helping disabled people find and retain work. The programme provides support for those facing the greatest barriers to finding and keeping a job.

Supported employees on WORKSTEP work either in jobs in the open labour market, via supported placements, or within supported businesses, established to employ disabled people. WORKSTEP aims to help people progress to unsupported employment where this is the right option for them.