INCAPACITY BENEFIT BILL

KEY MEASURES

Key elements of our reform proposals include:

• extended employment advice and support for individuals with health conditions to enable them to realise their ambition to return to work, building upon evidence from the successful Pathways to Work pilots.
• simplification of the existing benefits system for those whose health affects their capacity for work (comprising of contributory and non-contributory benefits plus severe disablement allowances) into a new benefit structure. 
• increased support to employers and employees in securing a safe working environment and managing absence and return to work, building upon the success of the Health and safety Executive and Workplace Health Direct.
• increased support to health professionals to enable them to provide holistic treatment plans which recognise the benefits of work to rehabilitation and long-term health.
• the ongoing development of disability rights to provide a level playing field for those with disabilities.

TERRITORIAL EXTENT

The reform of benefits applies to England, Scotland and Wales. Provision of support to those with health conditions requires close working with health colleagues in Scotland and Wales.

COMMENTS

If you have any comments on the proposals you can email them to:

The project manager (Chris Guest) -  chris.guest@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

These proposals were outlined in our Five Year Strategy, published in February 2005, and build upon the Green Paper on Pathways to Work pilots, published in November 2002.

Our intention is to publish a Green Paper on the full package of reform measures in July 2005.