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Green paper “an opportunity to link up health and welfare” says Citizens Advice

4 Hydref 2016

Citizens Advice responds to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Damian Green speech and the announcement of a joint green paper with the Department of Health.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

"1.4 million disabled people and people with long term health conditions want a job but don't have one.

"It is good the government is keen to tackle this issue.  The green paper is an opportunity to link up health and welfare to make sure people are able to get jobs - and keep them. We encourage ministers to also look at the challenges faced by people with fluctuating health conditions.

"But businesses have a role in breaking down barriers to work too - by being flexible where they can, and proactive about what they can do to make their workplace more accommodating for disabled people."

Responding to Damian Green reiterating that people with long-term health problems claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) will no longer face repeated medical assessments Gillian Guy added:

"People with health conditions which means they can't and won't ever be able to work, will be very relieved that benefit reassessments are coming to an end."

Notes to editors

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local Citizens Advice, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
  3. To get advice online or find your local Citizens Advice in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk
  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers.
  5. Local Citizens Advice in England and Wales advised 2.5 million clients on 6.2 million problems in 2014/15. For full service statistics see our publication Advice trends.
  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 service outlets across England and Wales.