The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has unveiled new plans to assist individuals with fluctuating health conditions in finding employment.
The announcement was made by Labour Party MP and DWP minister, Alison McGovern, in the Commons this week.
Mark Sewards, Labour MP for Leeds South West and Morley, questioned the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the steps her department is taking to ensure that people with fibromyalgia, ADHD and other invisible disabilities are supported back into work.
In response, Ms McGovern said: “Backed by £240m investment, the Get Britain Working White Paper launched on 26 November will drive forward approaches to tackling economic inactivity and work toward the long-term ambition of an 80% employment rate.”
She added: “As a Government, we want to support all forms of neurodiversity in the workplace, and we are looking to build on the findings of the Buckland Review of Autism Employment by gathering expert evidence in line with this expanded focus.
“Appropriate work is generally good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live.
“Disabled people and people with health conditions, including those with fibromyalgia, ADHD and other invisible conditions, are a diverse group so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key.
“We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems.
“Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care.”, reports Birmingham Live.
“Employers play a key role in increasing employment opportunities and supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, to thrive as part of the workforce.”
