an article by Stef Benstead (Research Consultant, England) published in Critical Social Policy Volume 39 Issue 4 (November 2019)
Abstract
Many developed countries consider that disability benefit receipt is too high and more disabled people should be in paid work.
Employment programmes designed to achieve this have tended towards less financial support and more requirement to engage in activity. But emphasis on social inclusion through paid work coupled with inadequate benefits and mandated activity can cause distress and worsened health.
It is therefore vital that politicians understand the likely impact of employment programmes before introducing them.
In this article, a new framework based on five ‘Ds’ (diagnosis, destination, development, design and delivery) is used to analyse the UK’s Work and Health Programme.
It is shown that the programme is likely to fail: it includes measures that do not work, and may cause harm, whilst ignoring measures that are known to work. Based on this, it is recommended that this programme be scrapped and the government start listening to disabled people.
In lieu of being able to bring you a link to the full text I have marked this article to read in the British Library next week when I hope to discover which of the measures in the Programme are likely to bring harm and which are ignored even though they work!
As an ex-employee of what is the DWP I think I know the answers from my days as an employment adviser who provided employment advice and only ever "sanctioned" one person who was blatantly working and signing.
Showing posts with label incapacity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label incapacity. Show all posts
Thursday, 7 November 2019
Wednesday, 24 June 2015
Assessing the Evidence Base on Health, Employability and the Labour Market – Lessons for Activation in the UK
an article Colin Lindsay (University of Strathclyde, Glasgow), Bent Greve (Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark), Ignazio Cabras (University of Northumbria, Newcastle), Nick Ellison (University of York) and Steve Kellett (University of Sheffield) published in Social Policy & Administration Volume 49 Issue 2 (March 2015)
Abstract
This article draws on the research of authors participating in this Special Issue, as well as a broader evidence review on how health, disability, labour market inequalities and other factors contribute to high levels of disability benefit (DB) claiming among certain communities.
We argue that the evidence points to a complex combination of factors feeding into high levels of DB claiming in the UK and beyond, namely: geographical concentrations of health problems and disability-related barriers; gaps in employability and skills; and labour market inequalities that limit the quantity and quality of work opportunities in some regions.
The article then provides a comparative, critical commentary on the evolution of activation and welfare reform policies in the UK and (briefly) Denmark – a welfare state that has experienced similarly high levels of DB claiming, but has adopted very different policy responses.
Specifically, we discuss the extent to which emerging active labour market policies, occupational health services and changes to the benefit system reflect the evidence on the nature of the barriers faced by people on DBs. The article concludes by identifying recommendations for health, employment and labour market policies.
Abstract
This article draws on the research of authors participating in this Special Issue, as well as a broader evidence review on how health, disability, labour market inequalities and other factors contribute to high levels of disability benefit (DB) claiming among certain communities.
We argue that the evidence points to a complex combination of factors feeding into high levels of DB claiming in the UK and beyond, namely: geographical concentrations of health problems and disability-related barriers; gaps in employability and skills; and labour market inequalities that limit the quantity and quality of work opportunities in some regions.
The article then provides a comparative, critical commentary on the evolution of activation and welfare reform policies in the UK and (briefly) Denmark – a welfare state that has experienced similarly high levels of DB claiming, but has adopted very different policy responses.
Specifically, we discuss the extent to which emerging active labour market policies, occupational health services and changes to the benefit system reflect the evidence on the nature of the barriers faced by people on DBs. The article concludes by identifying recommendations for health, employment and labour market policies.
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