Disability reforms and devolved employment support: What does good look like?
27 August
Changes to disability benefits are set to affect millions of low income households across the UK. Despite recent government concessions softening the immediate impact, significant changes remain on the horizon, with major implications for councils, NHS services and local support systems.
An increase to Universal Credit and investment in employment support is offset by changes to the health element of Universal Credit, putting additional pressure on already stretched services.
For councils, understanding who will be affected and preparing early will be key to avoiding deepening hardship in their communities.
In response, Policy in Practice is using local level modelling to help councils forecast the financial and social impact of these reforms. By combining granular data analysis with policy expertise, local authorities can prepare for what’s coming and act now to support their most vulnerable residents.
If you’re working in a local authority, the NHS, or wider support services, this session offers critical insight into a fast moving policy landscape and equip you with the tools to respond proactively and strategically.
Listen back to hear
- Employment: policy context
- Employment support and incapacity benefits
- Increasing voluntary engagement with employment support
- Using the Better Off Platform to identify and engage with out of work households and track effectiveness of interventions
- Open discussion and Q&A
Guest speakers
Listen back to our speakers
"Even when people know they’d be better off in work, distrust of the system holds them back and that remains one of the biggest barriers to change. At the same time, more people are flowing onto benefits while fewer are leaving since the pandemic, which means the problem will become significantly worse over the medium and long term if we fail to act."
"In a 12 week pilot, we used LIFT data to identify 750 people on LCWRA and offered them holistic, social prescribing style support chats. About 10% of the cohort took up the offer and roughly half of those are now working with a local employment advisor, showing how targeted, personalised support can make a real difference for people facing significant barriers to work."
"The platform not only identifies individuals with differing barriers to work so that support can be targeted, but it also ensures that this support can be offered with just a click of a button. By using tools like the Campaign Manager and the Better Off Calculator, councils can make sure everyone receives the support they’re eligible for, while reserving limited officer resources for those who need extra guidance or handholding."
