Major Investment to Support Disabled Jobseekers in Liverpool City Region
More than 10,000 disabled individuals across the Liverpool City Region are set to benefit from a significant £43 million investment aimed at enhancing employment opportunities. This funding forms part of a broader expansion of tailored employment support announced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Connect to Work Programme Expansion
The investment is allocated to the Connect to Work programme, which will deliver localised, personalised support to over 75,000 people across 16 areas in England and Wales. In the Liverpool City Region, up to 12,000 people are expected to gain from this initiative. The programme targets individuals who are disabled, have health conditions, or face complex barriers to employment.
Currently, the disability employment gap in the Liverpool City Region stands at 28.6%, which is above the UK average of 26.8%. This scheme is part of a total programme investment exceeding £950 million across England and Wales, designed to address economic inactivity and stimulate economic growth.
Tailored Support Measures
The Connect to Work programme offers intensive, personalised assistance that includes individual coaching from employment specialists, job-matching services, and ongoing support for both participants and employers. Support is flexible, allowing participants to meet their employment advisers in comfortable settings such as cafes, parks, or community hubs.
This approach aims to dismantle barriers that often make traditional employment support intimidating, ensuring that individuals not only secure jobs but also retain them. Early implementation areas have already demonstrated positive outcomes, showcasing the transformative impact of targeted employment support.
Government Commitment to Opportunity
Dame Diana Johnson, Minister for Employment, emphasised the government's dedication to unlocking potential across the UK. She stated, "This government believes in the potential of every person in every part of the UK. That's why I'm delighted to confirm funding for the Liverpool City Region. For too long, too many people have been written off and left behind. Connect to Work changes that – giving people real, tailored support to move into good jobs and out of poverty."
Connect to Work is a component of the UK Government's larger £3.5 billion Get Britain Working package, which represents the most substantial investment in employment support in a generation. This package includes reforms to Jobcentres to enhance work coach support, initiatives to reintegrate the long-term unemployed, a youth guarantee for earning or learning, and expanded health and work programmes like WorkWell.
Collectively, these measures are designed to combat economic inactivity, remove employment obstacles, and foster opportunity nationwide, with the Liverpool City Region poised to see significant benefits from this targeted investment.
