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Written question asked by Jonathan Ashworth (Labour) on Friday, 17 March 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 March 2023 (named day). It was answered by Tom Pursglove (Conservative) on Wednesday, 22 March 2023 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Employment: Chronic Illnesses and Disability

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the policy paper entitled Transforming Support: The Health and Disability White Paper, published on 15 March 2023, how he will test the use of financial incentives to encourage employers to purchase occupation health services; how many employers will participate in the test; what the financial incentive will be; and where the test will be taking place.

Answer

Increasing access to quality occupational health (OH) services can support disabled people, and people with health conditions, to remain in, and thrive in, work, which contributes to reducing health-related inactivity.

In ‘Health is Everyone’s Business’, the Government committed to testing a financial incentive (subsidy) for SMEs and the self-employed to understand whether the scheme can help to increase access for these groups. It was announced in the Spring Budget that this test will be expanded. User-centred design is underway with some small-scale testing of the service planned in 2023. Details of the scheme will be shared ahead of launch activity, including eligibility criteria, subsidy level and location for initial testing.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
168041
Session
2022-23
Related items
Transforming Support: The Health and Disability White Paper
Wednesday, 15 March 2023
Command papers
House of Lords
House of Commons
Subjects
Disability Chronic illnesses Employment Incentives Occupational health
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk