Tag: Department for Work and Pensions

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 27 September 2026.

Thousands of young disabled people and those with long-term health conditions are set to be offered a fast-tracked job under the government’s Jobs Guarantee.

• Young people set to benefit from fully funded jobs as government continues to tackle UK’s persistently high disability employment gap.
• Number of NEET young people who report having a disability has doubled in the past decade.
• New fast track for those on health benefits part of £2.5 billion investment to support almost a million young people towards employment.

Under the scheme, eligible young people on health benefits will be offered a guaranteed job on a voluntary basis from week 13 after their Work Capability Assessment.

They will receive mentoring and tailored support with their mental health, finances and housing to prepare them for work, while employers will be supported with onboarding costs.

The government will also cover 100% of wage costs up to 25 hours a week for six months.

The move marks a significant expansion of the Jobs Guarantee, a government scheme launched earlier this year for long-term unemployed young people aged 18 to 24 who have been claiming Universal Credit for 18 months.

The expansion to young people on health benefits will start from April 2027 and comes as part of the government’s £3.5 billion investment to deliver the most significant employment reforms in a generation to tackle the UK’s persistently high disability employment gap.

These reforms include the ‘right to try’ guarantee announced earlier this year, which will enable those on sickness benefits to try to work without the immediate fear of losing their benefits.

Earlier this year, Alan Milburn’s interim report found that nearly half of young people who are NEET in the UK (45%) report having a disability – more than doubling from 21.1% in 2013/14.

Widening eligibility for the scheme to young disabled people means thousands will have the chance to join the scheme which is intended to help up to 90,000 young people into work by the end of the Parliament.

This comes as part of the government’s efforts to tackle the UK’s persistently high disability employment gap, including the ‘right to try’ announced earlier this year, which will enable those on sickness benefits to try work without the immediate fear of losing their benefits.

The government believes every young person should have the opportunity to earn or learn, with £2.5 billion committed over the next three years to Youth Guarantee schemes including £3,000 payments for businesses who hire a young person out of work for six months, and an expansion of youth apprenticeships.

Emma Taylor, Chief People Officer at Tesco, said:

We welcome the Government’s expansion of the Jobs Guarantee, which will help more young people with disabilities and long-term health conditions access the opportunities, experience and support they need to get started in the world of work.

At Tesco, we’ve always been committed to helping young people develop the skills and confidence required for a long-term career, and we recognise that creating more ways into employment for those facing additional barriers is vital if every young person is to have the chance to fulfil their potential.

As a Disability Confident Leader, inclusion is a long-standing priority for Tesco and we’re proud to support initiatives that help widen access to work while creating meaningful opportunities for more young people to succeed.

Harriet Edwards, Director of Influencing at the national disability charity Sense, said:

We welcome investment that gives more young disabled people the opportunity to get into work. Too many who want to work are still locked out by barriers, including a lack of appropriate support, inaccessible workplaces and negative attitudes.

These jobs must be accessible, work for the individual and lead to lasting opportunities. Young disabled people need tailored support and inclusive workplaces, and success should be measured not just by how many start a job, but whether they have the support and opportunities to build the future they choose.

Dr Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind, said:

Many young people with mental health problems tell us that they’d love to work but can’t find the right support or opportunities in order to do so. If delivered in a genuinely supportive way, this offer could be life changing for a young person struggling with their mental health.

For far too long young people have been let down, with less opportunities and support than previous generations. Focussing on providing genuine opportunity to harness their motivations and ambitions is a really positive step forward, and we look forward to seeing the full detail.

Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive of Mencap, said:

This is very welcome news. Young people with a learning disability are disproportionately likely to be out of work and not in education, employment or training. Earlier access to paid work, tailored support and mentoring could help prevent them from becoming trapped in long-term unemployment.

The voluntary nature of the scheme will give young people with a learning disability the confidence to explore work opportunities and show what they can do, without losing the support they need. If delivered well, with backing from employers and vital support like Access to Work, this could help tackle the NEETs crisis and get more young people with a learning disability into work.

Brian Dow, Chief Executive, Mental Health UK:

Expanding access to the Jobs Guarantee for young disabled people is welcome news. Fast-tracking access to these opportunities has the potential to make a hugely positive difference to young people’s morale, allowing them to gain paid work experience and develop new skills that can make a real difference to their confidence, wellbeing and future employment prospects. Making this support easier to access could help more young people to take those important first steps into work.

James Taylor, Executive Director at disability equality charity Scope:

This scheme could give many young disabled people a much-needed foot in the door. For too long, disabled young people have been locked out of work by barriers beyond their control. They have been overlooked when they apply for jobs, denied the support they need at work, and too often left without the opportunities they deserve.

Young disabled people have a wealth of talent and skills, and it’s positive to see the government putting money behind them to unlock their potential. That means the right adjustments, tailored support and opportunities to move into accessible, secure, and lasting jobs.

Laura Davis, Chief Executive of British Association for Supported Employment/Inclusive Trading

It is hugely encouraging to see the government recognising the significant barriers that many young disabled, neurodivergent people and those with long-term health conditions face in accessing good careers, by extending the Jobs Guarantee to include young people on health benefits. We hope to see strong alignment with evidence-based programmes, with the right join-up, young people with the most complex support needs will not have to choose between receiving the support they need and accessing opportunities to build a meaningful career.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said:

Retail has a proud history of providing accessible first routes into the workforce. The expansion of the Jobs Guarantee gives more young disabled people a fair shot at building a career without the risk of losing vital safeguards. Retailers welcome this investment and look forward to playing a central role in delivering these opportunities from 2027.

Retail is already stepping up to support anybody not in employment, education or training through the Opening Shift programme, a new, national retail work experience initiative in partnership with DWP, which is already offering more than 11,000 work experience placements to young people furthest from the labour market.

Sarah Yong, Deputy CEO at Youth Futures Foundation, the What Works Centre for Youth Employment, said:

We welcome the news that the Jobs Guarantee will be widened to include young people with disabilities and health barriers who feel they would be able to enter employment with support. We know that these young people are disproportionately represented in the NEET statistics and are finding their pathway into suitable work increasingly challenging; they need to be given a chance and the right support to take this chance.

The Jobs Guarantee to date has been informed by the evidence of what works and it will be important for this to continue as it expands and evolves. Evidence in our Youth Employment Toolkit tells us that targeted wage subsidy interventions with wrap around support, which enable young people to gain real employment experience, can be most effective when targeted well for young people facing the greatest barriers to work.

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 23 September 2026.

Earlier and better support for people with health conditions or disabilities in the workplace is key to driving growth and productivity, says a new report published by the co-chair of Keep Britain Working today [23 September 2026].

In his latest update, Sir Charlie Mayfield sets out the work being done with employers, providers and those with lived experience to deliver Britain’s first Workplace Health System. 

Around 300,000 people with a health condition leave work every year.

But much of this is preventable. Someone absent for four to six weeks has a 96 percent chance of returning. After a year, fewer than half do. 

Since 2019, the number of working-age people out of work due to ill health has risen by 800,000, with a total cost to the economy of around £212 billion a year.

The new plan aims to build better, more inclusive workplaces and better workplace health provision to prevent ill health conditions from escalating and to support people in work with health conditions or disabilities, to achieve more successful returns after absences from work.

It brings together employers, the NHS, local authorities and other support services to ensure people don’t fall out of work unnecessarily and companies have better data on workplace health and inclusion to drive change.

Eleven regional Vanguards, including nine Mayoral Strategic Authorities, Cornwall Council, Hull City Council and Worcestershire City Council, and more than 200 Vanguard organisations are already building and testing the new system with employers, unions and disabled people across all four nations of the UK.

Examples include: 

• Liverpool City Region testing draft return-to-work plans developed with employers.
• Hull City Council, in partnership with provider Latus, creating the Hull Resilience Hub, a buyer’s pool letting local SMEs access occupational health services at the same prices as large corporates.
• South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority will be trialling independent case workers sitting part-time within businesses to support employees with health concerns.

Sir Charlie Mayfield, author of the Keep Britain Working Review and Co-Chair of the Keep Britain Working programme, said:

Britain has spent too long treating economic inactivity as a welfare problem. It is not.

Instead, it’s one of the largest and most attainable growth opportunities this country has.

We’ve had a National Health Service for almost 80 years. We’ve never had a Workplace Health System. That is why the same people appear on the welfare bill, on NHS waiting lists and in the productivity figures without anyone being able to join them up.

It’s also why we are missing the best moments to help people. The new Workplace Health System would change that.

Ten months of building and testing with employers, mayors, providers, unions and disabled people have made us even clearer about what needs to change and more confident that a new system that helps to drive economic growth is within reach.

The task now is to build it.

An employer standard is being developed with the British Standards Institution, alongside affordable support for smaller firms through pooled buying and insurance routes, so good workplace health support is not just available to big companies.

Sir Charlie’s work sits within a £3.5 billion employment support package. WorkWell, backed by £259 million will support up to 250,000 people to stay in or return to work. Connect to Work will reach 300,000 sick or disabled people with tailored support. Over 1,000 full-time Pathways to Work advisers are already in place across Britain.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:

Too many people fall out of work because of a health problem that could have been caught earlier, and too many employers have no way of knowing whether they are getting this right.

This programme is working hand in hand with employers, mayors and local leaders to change that, so that good workplace health support is not just for big companies and it delivers growth across every postcode.

Alongside this, the programme is also focusing on intelligence. Few employers can currently tell how well they keep staff with health conditions in work, or whether people are still in work six months on. Fewer still have the insights that could fuel their prevention efforts. A new employer data project and work and health prototype are being developed this autumn aims to address these gaps.

Over the next year the programme will continue to work with BSI to develop a standard  and test and refine employer commitments with the Vanguard to build the evidence on what works.

Minister of State for Work and Health Ally McGovern, said:

Anyone can find themself with an illness that could stop them working.  
Getting help quickly rather than waiting for the problem to get worse is the right way to support good health and a strong economy.

The government is also committed to further steps to bring about effective and sustainable welfare reform, and this will be guided by the Milburn and Timms reviews, which are due to conclude later this year.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

Too many people are being written off from good work when the right support could help them thrive.

Through our Healthy Working Life programme, we’re bringing together health services, employment support and employers, so people can get the help they need at the right time rather than being bounced between disconnected services.

Supporting people with health conditions and disabilities to access good work isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s key to unlocking talent and building a healthier, wealthier West Yorkshire.

Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, said: 

I want South Yorkshire to become the healthiest region in the country, a place where everyone has the chance to work, support their families and pursue their dreams. At the moment, all too many people don’t have that chance because of poor health.  
Our trial will help us work alongside employers, employees and health experts to find practical ways of supporting people to stay well, stay in work, or return to work when they’re ready.  
By testing new ideas and listening to the voices of both working people and employers, we can help create healthier workplaces where people and businesses can get on, contribute to our communities and our economy, and help us build the South Yorkshire we all want to see.

Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: 

Greater Manchester has long championed the link between good work, good health and economic prosperity. Through our Live Well approach, Good Employment Charter and Get Greater Manchester Working plan, we’re focused on helping more people stay in work, particularly when they’re facing health or other challenges. We welcome the focus on prevention and look forward to working with partners to put effective solutions into practice.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

Creating a Workplace Health System approach will bring organisations together to work better to provide the right support, at the right time, to help keep more people in work.

We know that the longer people are off work, the harder it can be to return. This is why early personalised support is so important, particularly for long-term sickness and poor mental health. In partnership with local councils, Integrated Care Boards, the government, and community organisations, in the West we’ll build a more joined‑up, preventative system that helps people sooner.

The West of England is already the country’s fastest-growing regional economy. Through our new Skills Strategy, our ambition is to also have the highest employment rate in the UK.  We’re working with employers to enable them to find and retain the talent and workforce they need to thrive, while making it easier for residents of all ages to access training, advice and pathways into work.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: 

Too many people across the West Midlands want to work and get on in life, but are being held back by barriers that they should be getting help to overcome.

Good work is about more than a pay packet. It brings security, independence, and pride, and when people are locked out of work, we’re also missing out on their skills and talent.

West Midlands Works is about changing that. By working alongside the Keep Britain Working programme and employers, we can give people the right support to get into work, stay in work and build a better future for themselves and their families.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

People shouldn’t be written off because they develop a health condition – and businesses shouldn’t have to lose good, experienced workers because the right support wasn’t there soon enough.

In the Liverpool City Region, we’re proud to be playing our part in helping to test practical ways of changing that; stepping in earlier, working directly with employers and making it easier for people to stay in work or return when they’re ready. That matters just as much for a small business employing ten people as it does for a company employing thousands.

If we can get this right, the prize is huge: more people able to keep the security and independence that comes with work, businesses holding on to the skills they need, and a stronger, more productive economy as a result. It’s the kind of common sense reform that can make a real difference to people’s lives.

Alistair Cochrane, Chief Executive of Royal Mail, said: 

Royal Mail is proud to support Keep Britain Working to help more people stay in and return to work.

We are already applying learnings from the programme to strengthen support for our employees’ wellbeing, particularly those at risk of musculoskeletal and mental health conditions, which are the leading causes of sick absence in our business.

We are introducing practical measures such as upskilling managers on mental health, removing barriers for employees seeking help with their health, and making it as easy as possible to return after long-term sick leave.

Anne Hayes, Director of Standards Development, BSI, said: 

We support the KBW review’s conclusion that supporting more people into work represents an economic opportunity for the UK.

Our research has found that employers play a critical role in this, with nearly half of staff who are not confident raising health concerns with their employer having left a role or taken extended leave as a result.

The standard we are developing with KBW will be a vital tool to help employers work effectively to build workplace cultures rooted in trust so that individuals and organisations alike can flourish.

John Foster, Chief Policy and Campaigns Officer, CBI:

The progress of the Keep Britain Working Review shows what can be achieved when government and business work together to turn ambition into practical action.

Making affordability a key test is particularly important at a time when cost pressures are constraining firms’ ability to hire and invest. Bringing down the wider cost of doing business will help give employers the confidence and headroom to create jobs, invest in their people and play their full part in delivering this shared ambition.

Jack Latus, CEO of Latus Group, said: 

Every person who leaves work because of ill health is a loss to their employer, their local economy and the public finances.

Too often, someone develops a health condition and slowly drifts away from their job with isolation and long silent periods on a fit note making things worse.

Prevention has to happen where people spend their working lives.

Good workplace health support means acting early, staying in touch, and working together on a return before a health problem becomes a lost job.

In Hull, the Resilience Hub is giving local SMEs that support and Latus are delighted to be part of the Keep Britain Working movement, working to explore how earlier insights from employees can better support them, and at the right time.

Kate Thompson, executive director of people and organisational development at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: 

We want to be a leading employer for staff health and wellbeing and are delighted to be part of the Keep Britain Working movement.

Our staff health needs assessment, which brings together demographic information and survey questions, provides real insights into our varied workforce.

It has already helped focus our preventative and proactive work where it’s most needed, including projects on musculoskeletal conditions and financial wellbeing. The next stage is to make the data readily available to the right people, so they can identify health and wellbeing priorities for their teams.

Staff health and wellbeing is part of our overall focus on staff satisfaction, as we know that happy, healthy staff provide better patient care. It also helps us to reduce sickness absence, improve productivity and drive value for public money.

Additional information

1. Keep Britain Working is an independent review turned delivery programme tackling health-related economic inactivity and promoting healthy, inclusive workplaces. It is co-chaired by Sir Charlie Mayfield, alongside the three Secretaries of State. Read more at Keep Britain Working – GOV.UK.
2. Read the report A National Growth Opportunity – GOV.UK.
3. Around 300,000 people with a health condition leave work every year. Someone absent for four to six weeks has a 96% chance of returning. After a year, fewer than half do. 
4. Preventing a modest share of that avoidable loss, and narrowing the employment gap experienced by disabled people, is enough to move the national numbers. A one percent increase in participation that would mean c.330,000 more people in work, which is equivalent to the productive capacity of a city the size of Cardiff.
5. List of Regional Vanguards:

• Cornwall Council 
• East Midlands 
• Greater London Authority 
• Greater Manchester 
• Liverpool City Region Combined Authority 
• North East Combined Mayoral Authority 
• South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority 
• West Midlands Combined Mayoral Authority 
• West of England Combined Mayoral Authority 
• West Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority 
• Worcestershire County Council

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 8 September 2026.

Young people will be given vital work experience opportunities thanks to a major initiative between government and Britain’s leading retailers – with the ambition to create up to 100,000 jobs by the end of the Parliament.

• New scheme to offer 18-24-year-olds work experience being developed with Britain’s biggest retailers including John Lewis, Currys and Costa Coffee.
• It forms part of a wider retail sector target to deliver 100,000 jobs for young people by the end of this Parliament to tackle the number of young people not in employment, education or training.
• Former Marks and Spencer Chief Executive Marc Bolland – appointed by Government to drive forward youth employment reforms – played central role in creating new partnership with the British Retail Consortium.

Young people will be given vital work experience opportunities thanks to a major initiative between government and Britain’s leading retailers – with the ambition to create up to 100,000 jobs by the end of the Parliament. 

Alongside the sector’s ambitions of creating 100,000 jobs, BRC and DWP are launching a new work experience programme, Opening Shift, which will see 18-24-year-olds looking for work offered two to four weeks of hands-on experience as part of more than 11,000 placements with Britain’s biggest retailers, including Tesco, John Lewis, Waitrose, Curry’s and Costa Coffee, complete with dedicated workplace support and interview experience. 

The DWP will manage the pipeline of eligible young Universal Credit customers who will be referred to the voluntary programme through Jobcentres, and the retailers will provide the placements and wider support, with 16 to 35 hours of work experience provided each week for two to four weeks. 

They could be offered a permanent role if one is available, be put on the retailer’s talent bank, or directed towards apprenticeship and other opportunities. 

The retail sector has used the launch of the programme to set a target of delivering 100,000 jobs for young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) by the end of this Parliament.  

Retail has long been a key gateway into work for young people, and this new offer from the sector comes after Alan Milburn spoke of the vital importance of work experience for young people, while warning that for many the first rung on the career ladder has thinned.  

Earlier this year the government appointed former Marks & Spencer Chief Executive and founder of the charity Movement to Work Marc Bolland to convene businesses and create more opportunities for young people, and he has played a central role in creating this new partnership.  

To mark the launch Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden met young people during a visit to John Lewis Oxford Street on Monday. The John Lewis Partnership has also committed to the Jobs Guarantee with 30 new Waitrose roles and a target to recruit 1,000 care-experienced young people by 2030. 

Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden said:

This partnership will help young people to get the experience employers are looking for.

Work experience can be life-changing, giving young people the skills, confidence and connections they need to take their first step into work.

By creating thousands of opportunities in the retail sector, we’re delivering on our commitment to help more young people build brighter futures, backed by our £2.5 billion investment to support the next generation into employment.

Marc Bolland said:

My work as Founder and Chairman of Movement to Work showed me first-hand what’s possible when business and government work together to open doors for young people.  

Today’s announcement takes that further, creating thousands more opportunities for young people to build a future in one of Britain’s biggest industries and I’d encourage every retailer to look at what more they can offer.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the British Retail Consortium, said:

Retail is coming to the rescue for tens of thousands of young people struggling to take their first steps on the career ladder. Too many are trapped in a no experience, no job doom loop. High-quality work experience is essential to fix this problem and Opening Shift is a major contribution to delivering it.

Retail is uniquely placed to make a difference on the NEETs crisis, given the industry’s scale and reach touching every corner of the country. The challenges facing young people are significant. Work experience is a first step and with the right conditions for businesses to invest and create new entry level jobs, employers across the economy can help tackle the NEET crisis.

As one of the UK’s largest employers, with businesses in communities across the country, the retail sector is uniquely placed to provide the work experience, skills and confidence that can help young people take their first step into employment.

This comes as many retailers are already backing the government’s Youth Guarantee reforms to give every young person the chance to earn or learn. This includes McDonald’s which has launched the largest paid in-person work experience programme in the UK, as well as Sainsbury’s, who have also committed to create around 10,000 work experience and employability opportunities for young people from October. Together, they are creating more opportunities for young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET.  

This follows the Government’s recent education reforms to provide technical pathways for young people to close the gap between the classroom and the workplace. 

The sector’s involvement builds on the Government’s youth employment support, including the Jobs Guarantee scheme, which has been backed by over 400 employers and offers a direct route into work for eligible young people. More than 90,000 young people will be supported into work by the scheme in the next three years, with the first cohort already starting positions with retailers including Lidl and Boots. 

Additional Information

• Opening Shift is a new DWP and retail industry work experience programme for 18 to 24-year-old NEETs, offering two to four-week placements (16 to 35 hours per week) with ongoing Universal Credit support, travel cost assistance where needed, workplace mentoring and interview experience. Its aim is to give young people the skills and experience they need to get their first job and contribute towards the BRC’s ambition of creating 100,000 jobs by the end of this Parliament.
• The British Retail Consortium is the trade association for the UK retail industry, representing more than 200 members including major retailers and independent businesses, and has brought together retailers to develop this programme with the support of the DWP.
• Marc Bolland is Lead Non-Executive Director at the Department for Work and Pensions and founder chairman of Movement to Work, a registered charity offering free support to businesses to create youth employability programmes. It has delivered more than 200,000 opportunities for 16 to 30-year-olds facing barriers to work. *The Government is investing an additional £2.5 billion by 2029 into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy.
• This investment will support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn, including a £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant, a £2,000 apprenticeship hiring payment for employers, and a fully funded six-month job for long-term unemployed 18–24-year-olds through the Jobs Guarantee.
• The Jobs Guarantee will support over 90,000 Universal Credit claimants aged 18 to 24 into work over the next three years, providing six months of fully funded paid employment matched to their skills after 18 months of claiming and searching for work. The first cohort of young people have already started roles at companies such as Boots and Lidl, with a national rollout later this year.
• The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) is contributing to the Youth Guarantee through a range of employment and work experience opportunities. Through JLP’s Building Happier Futures programme, 1,000 roles will be ringfenced for care-experienced young people by 2030.
• List of retailers involved in the development and roll out of Opening Shift to date: Aldi, All Saints, Amazon, Ann Summers, Asda, B&M, B&Q, Bensons, Booths, Boots, Currys, Dobbies, Dr Martens, Dunelm, Fishpools, Holland & Barrett, House of Bruar, Iceland, JD Sports, John Lewis Partnership, JoJo Maman Bebe, Lakeland, Liberty, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Mountain Warehouse, New Look, Next, Our Coop, Pets at Home, Pret, Primark, Savers, Screwfix, Superdrug, Tesco, The Perfume Shop, The Works, Very Group, Wickes.

Supportive quotes

James Goodman, Asda Chief People Officer, said:

Supporting young people into employment is vital to the future of our industry. Many of Asda’s senior leaders started their careers on the shop floor, and we’re proud to support initiatives that help young people develop skills, gain experience, and discover pathways into rewarding careers.

Helen Webb, Chief People Officer at the John Lewis Partnership, said:  

Retail gave many of us our first job, and it should still be doing that. Too many young people are being asked for experience they’ve had no chance to get, and Opening Shift is a practical way to change that. It’s also how our sector builds the talent it will need.

Jon Sparkes, chief executive of learning disability charity Mencap, says:  

This is a welcome opportunity for the many young people struggling to get a foot on the career ladder, and it’s great to see retailers stepping up. 

Young people with a learning disability tell us time and time again that they want to work – what they’re denied is the support and opportunity. Work experience can be the difference between a young person with a learning disability having the chance to prove what they can do, rather than being judged on what it’s perceived they cannot. 

We’ve supported many young people with a learning disability into retail roles, and the feedback from them and from their employers is consistently hugely positive. We hope many more will get the chance, and we’d urge every retailer signing up to make sure their placements are genuinely supportive of and accessible to people with a learning disability.

Rosie Ferguson OBE, Chief Executive of UK Youth, said: 

Young people deserve the opportunities to find their way in the world. Government, employers, schools and youth workers all have a role to play in creating the opportunities, support and pathways they need to succeed. 

Today’s announcement is a significant commitment to expanding meaningful work experience, and it is encouraging to see employers stepping up. Partnerships with businesses can help young people take those first steps into work, build confidence and develop skills that open doors in the future. 

For young people furthest from the labour market, access to these opportunities must come with the right support. Youth workers play an essential role in building trusted relationships, helping young people navigate transitions into work and training, and connecting them with employers and wider support. 

When employers and youth workers work together, we can do more than help young people get their first job. We can help them discover their strengths, build on their potential and take the next steps towards a fulfilling working life.” 

Tesco CEO Ken Murphy said: 

Tesco has a long history of creating opportunities for young people, helping them take their first steps into work regardless of their background, qualifications or previous experience. 

Through programmes like our Stronger Starts apprenticeships and the 5,000 new Opening Shift placements we’re creating this year in partnership with Movement to Work, we want to help more young people not in employment, education or training to build their confidence, develop valuable skills and take their first steps towards a rewarding career at Tesco. 

The retail industry has always been at the heart of local communities, providing jobs that are flexible, secure and accessible. The scale of the response from our sector shows retailers recognise the challenge facing the next generation and are determined to be part of the solution.

Chief Executive, Mental Health UK, Brian Dow said: 

The first step on the career ladder ought to feel like the easiest one to make, yet for so many young people it has felt dauntingly out of reach.  The announcement of Opening Shift with the emphasis it includes in supporting young people arrive in the workplace with confidence brings the prospect of a firm beginning and hopeful future one step closer.” 

John Boumphrey, Amazon UK country manager, said:  

Visiting our sites across the country, I regularly meet people whose lives were changed because someone gave them a chance. Work experience builds confidence, opens doors, and, for many young people, it’s the first time they’ve been told ‘you can do this’.  

We’re proud to support Opening Shift, building on the work experience, apprenticeship and supported employment programmes we already run, including for those with additional needs. We’ll keep investing in giving young people across the UK the opportunities they deserve.

Sophie Morrell, Director of Corporate Partnerships, at The King’s Trust said: 

Retail gives thousands of young people their first step into work every year. From learning how to communicate with customers, to working as part of a team and taking responsibility in the workplace, the skills gained can last a lifetime.” 

Retail employers have long been among The King’s Trust’s most committed partners, consistently stepping up to help young people build the confidence, skills and experience they need to enter the world of work. It’s encouraging to see the sector unite behind this initiative and create even more opportunities for the next generation to thrive.

Nick Orrin, UK & Ireland Managing Director, Costa Coffee, said: 

Retail and hospitality are often seen as a first step into work, but they can also be the start of a long and rewarding career. Across our business, many colleagues have progressed from frontline roles into leadership positions. 

We welcome efforts to give more young people the skills, confidence and experience they need not only to get into work, but to progress once they are there. By working together, employers, government and education providers can open up more opportunities for young people to build rewarding careers.

Sarah Yong, Deputy CEO at Youth Futures Foundation, said:  

Giving young people the opportunity to gain experience of the workplace and connect with employers can play an important role in helping them take their first steps into employment. For young people who have had limited opportunities to engage with employers, meaningful work experience can help build confidence, develop skills and give them a better understanding of what the world of work looks like. 

It is great to see the retail sector coming together to create more opportunities for young people to gain this experience and make valuable connections with employers. Exposure to the workplace, alongside the right employment support, can help young people move closer to and into good work. 

Hamish Shah, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Business Disability Forum, said:  

Work experience can be a vital first step into employment, helping young people build confidence, develop skills and understand what they have to offer an employer. We welcome this commitment from government and the retail sector to create more opportunities for young people to get that first foothold in the workplace. It is important, however, that these opportunities are genuinely accessible and inclusive. Disabled young people can face additional barriers when trying to enter the world of work, and employers have a crucial role to play in removing those barriers and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. By combining high-quality work experience with the right support and adjustments, this initiative can help open doors for a much wider range of young people and create a more inclusive workforce for the future.” 

Ellie Harris, Principal Research Fellow and Head of Children and Young People, IPPR, said:

Young people are full of ambition, but too many don’t have the support or opportunities they need to realise their aspirations.

This is a welcome first step towards giving young people a tangible route out of the cycle of missed opportunities that can leave them stuck and falling further behind.

Where you grow up still shapes the chances you get. Young people in some of the country’s most deprived towns have the most to gain from access to the experiences, networks and opportunities that others too often take for granted.

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 26 August 2026.

The first young people supported by a new Government programme for the long-term unemployed have started their jobs.

• First cohort of young people start work through the Government’s Jobs Guarantee, delivering on the Prime Minister’s priority to tackle youth unemployment
• Scheme aims to create opportunity for those furthest from the jobs market and is backed by major businesses, including Boots and OCS
• Over 90,000 fully funded jobs to be created by 2029 through the Jobs Guarantee, a key part of the Government’s £2.5 billion drive to tackle youth unemployment

The Jobs Guarantee scheme offers a direct route into work for all 18–24-year-olds who have been claiming Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months.

Roles on offer are matched to the individual’s skillset, with the government fully funding up to 25 hours paid work for six months to get individuals into the labour market.

More than 90,000 young people will be supported into work by the scheme in the next three years, with the first cohort of young people having already started positions at retail giant Boots.

Recognising that the longer people are out of work the more difficult it is to start working again, young people on the scheme get bespoke support to tackle barriers – from confidence building to skills training on the job. This means young people arrive at their new employer work ready and then continue to thrive.

The Jobs Guarantee is the latest intervention in the Government’s ongoing, extensive employment support for young people, backed by £2.5 billion investment. It marks a major step in the Prime Minister’s drive to get more young people into work and bring hope to more than one million young people who are not earning or learning – a rise of 248,000 between 2021-2024.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden visited Boots to meet some of the first cohort of young people starting work through the Jobs Guarantee in administrative, retail and warehouse support roles.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:

Young people want to get on in life but for too long too many have been denied that opportunity. The Jobs Guarantee helps change that.

Seeing the first young people start their roles brings to life what this scheme is about: real jobs, proper wages, and a genuine route into a career.

As we roll this out to tens of thousands more young people across the country, we’re backing the next generation to succeed and backing British businesses to grow with the talent they need.

The Jobs Guarantee has been rolled out in areas with some of the highest levels of youth unemployment:

• Birmingham and Solihull
• The East Midlands
• Greater Manchester
• Hertfordshire and Essex
• Central and East Scotland
• South East and South West Wales

Later this year the scheme will be expanded to all eligible 18-24 year olds who are on Universal Credit and have been looking for work for 18 months.

Anthony Hemmerdinger, Managing Director of Boots UK and Ireland, said:

We’re pleased to create opportunities for young people to secure work placements in our stores, offices and warehouses through the Jobs Guarantee.

Boots has a strong track record in supporting young people through our graduate schemes, work experience programmes, apprenticeships and youth employability partnership with The King’s Trust. We firmly believe that retail can play an important role in supporting young people to develop the confidence, experience, and skills that can shape their working lives.

Simon Smithson, Director of Youth Services, Ingeus

We’re delighted to be delivering Jobs Guarantee in the East Midlands. This programme represents a significant opportunity to help more young people access employment, develop new skills and secure brighter futures.

The commitment shown by employers such as Boots demonstrates the power of partnership. By bringing together employers, communities and support organisations, we can create high-quality opportunities that benefit individuals, businesses and the wider regional economy.

Local delivery partners will work with employers to match young people into roles and provide ongoing support to help placements succeed.

The Jobs Guarantee is part of the Government’s wider £2.5 billion youth employment investment which will support almost one million young people and open up 500,000 opportunities to earn or learn over three years – spreading opportunity to every postcode.

It comes alongside other incentives for business worth up to £8,000 for eligible young people and the biggest reforms in a generation to the apprenticeship system by putting more funding behind young people and tackling the 40% drop in apprenticeship starts over the past decade.

Additional Information::

• Eligible young people will earn at least the National Minimum Wage alongside minimum automatic enrolment contributions for the duration of their employment. Government will fund up to 25hrs/week at the NMW as well as pension contributions, for up to 6 months
• Government funds support to Jobs Guarantee participants to support them to overcome their barriers to work and succeed in employment on the scheme

Supportive quotes

Louise Goodlad, Direct of Delivery (Scotland), King’s Trust said:

The Jobs Guarantee reflects what The King’s Trust has long believed: that young people need both skills and opportunities to succeed, and that tackling youth unemployment requires government, employers and charities working together.

The King’s Trust has begun delivering the first phase of the Jobs Guarantee programme in Central and East Scotland, and we are seeing first-hand the determination of young people who want to work as they seize the opportunity to gain experience and develop their skills.

The Jobs Guarantee will create opportunities for young people at greatest risk of long-term unemployment while helping employers access the talent they need to grow.

Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE, CEO of Youth Employment UK, said:

We welcome seeing the Jobs Guarantee move from policy into real, paid opportunities for young people. For those who have been out of work for a long time, a good job can provide not only an income, but the experience, confidence and connections that help build a longer-term career.

This year’s Youth Voice Census data, being released on 10 September, shows that 75% of young people think paid work experience would help them get a job – a powerful reminder of just how important opportunities like these can be.

Sarah Williams, Chief People Officer, OCS said:

Getting that first job is hard, and the Jobs Guarantee Pilot is about making it a bit easier. Young people joining us on our client sites get real experience, new skills and a proper look at the range of careers here at OCS; with clear routes into permanent roles and apprenticeships. The pilot delivery is working well and we are fully committed to rolling it out nationally.

East Midlands Chamber, Chief Executive, Scott Knowles said:

Getting more young people into work and equipped with the skills employers need is essential to driving growth and the Jobs Guarantee scheme is an initiative I welcome for addressing that. 

With so many under 24’s not in Education, Employment or Training – NEET – supportive approaches like the Jobs Guarantee scheme that bridge the needs of employers with provision of opportunities for young people and a focus on upskilling during employment are a forward step. Tackling the skills gap, tackling youth unemployment and getting people into roles with the skills to thrive is what we want to see.

Daniel Martin, Chief Executive Officer, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, said:

“Hertfordshire being chosen as an initial rollout region for the Jobs Guarantee is a huge vote of confidence for our local economy. While major UK businesses are leading the first phase, the real transformational power of this programme lies within our vibrant SME sector.

“Fully funding 25 hours a week significantly mitigates the financial risk for growing local businesses and gives young people a genuine pathway into work. The Chamber’s message to Hertfordshire employers is clear. Take advantage of this support, back local young talent and help build your future workforce.”

Supportive quotes from SMEs delivering the Jobs Guarantee

A spokesperson for Matlock Ghost Emporium, said:

This initiative is a true win-win for independent businesses and young jobseekers alike. Bringing early-career talent into our studio gives our production capacity a real boost, allowing us to expand what we do while actively investing in the next generation of makers.

Watching a young person build their practical skills and grow in workplace confidence over six months is immensely rewarding, and we’d strongly encourage other small businesses to consider hosting a placement.

Antony Rhodes, Arc Communications, said:

Taking part in the Jobs Guarantee has been a really positive experience for our business. We have welcomed four young people into our office through the scheme, and they have already made a noticeable contribution to the team.

The scheme has given us the opportunity to bring in enthusiastic young people, provide them with valuable workplace experience and develop their skills, while also giving our existing team the opportunity to support and mentor the next generation.

We have been particularly impressed by the attitude and willingness to learn that the young people have shown. They have quickly become part of the team and are already adding value to the business.

We would definitely encourage other employers to consider getting involved. The Jobs Guarantee provides a fantastic opportunity to give young people a genuine start in the workplace while benefiting your own organisation.

Adam Tulloch, Founder & CEO, Total Insight Theatre, said:

At Total Insight Theatre, we’ve always believed in starting with what young people bring to the table – their ideas, perspectives, creativity and strengths – rather than focusing on how much experience they might have on paper. The Jobs Guarantee has enabled us to welcome six young people into meaningful roles across our organisation, and they’re very much part of the team.

We’re already benefiting from the fresh thinking, energy and different perspectives they bring to our work, while they gain paid experience and develop their skills. As an organisation that works with young people every day, having young people woven into the fabric of our own team really matters to us. I’d encourage other employers to get involved – there’s such genuine value on both sides.

Simone Connolly, CEO, FareShare Midlands said

Our experience of the Youth Job Guarantee has been overwhelmingly positive. We currently have three young people on placements at our Nottingham site, giving them the opportunity to build confidence, develop practical workplace skills and gain valuable experience in a busy warehouse environment.

The programme builds on the employability support we already provide through SkillsShare, helping young people who may face barriers to work take positive steps towards employment.

We understand that FareShare Midlands was the amongst the first organisations in the country to offer these placements, which we are very proud of. Based on our experience so far, we will certainly take part again and hope to offer further placements across all three of our sites in Birmingham, Leicester, and Nottingham.

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 12 August 2026.

The Timms Review launched last October with the aim of making sure PIP is fair and fit for the future. Its Interim Report, published in July 2026, found that PIP is no longer fit for purpose.

• Fifteen workshops being held online and in person will help shape the recommendations of the Timms Review into Personal Independence Payment.
• Disabled people and people with long-term health conditions invited to apply for workshops, with registration open from Wednesday 12 August 2026.
• Comes following the Review’s Interim Report which found PIP to be no longer fit for purpose.

Disabled people and people with long-term health conditions are being invited to take part in a series of workshops that will help shape recommendations for the future of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Many people described assessment and decision-making processes as “stressful” and “dehumanising” and reported that PIP, while widely valued as a benefit, can itself create additional barriers to participation and independence.

Ahead of its final Report, due in Autumn 2026, the Review’s steering group is now developing emerging recommendations and will be seeking views on them from people across the UK.

The 15 workshops will be held online and in person across the UK during September and October 2026, ensuring people from all parts of the country can take part in discussing, testing and refining the recommendations.

The workshops are aimed primarily at disabled people and people with long-term health conditions and no previous experience of engaging with government reviews is required.

Alongside these workshops, the Review will also be contacting stakeholders including Disabled People’s Organisations, charities and MPs to test and refine its emerging recommendations over the same period.

Co-Chair of the Review and member of the shaping recommendations workshops working group Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE said:

Disabled people and people with long term health conditions know better than anyone how PIP works in real life where it helps, where it creates barriers, and where it needs to change. That experience has to be part of shaping what comes next.

I would encourage anyone with experience of applying for or receiving PIP to register their interest in taking part. The purpose of these workshops is not simply to hear people’s experiences, but to test the Review’s emerging recommendations against real lives and understand what could make them fairer, clearer and work better in practice.

Most importantly, I am committed to showing how what people tell us influences the recommendations we ultimately make.

Feedback from participants in these workshops will be considered by the Review as it finalises it recommendations. These workshops, alongside intensive engagement throughout the process, will ensure the Review is grounded in the experiences of disabled people and people with long-term health conditions before the report is submitted to the government.

Prior to this, more than 38,000 responses to the Review’s Call for Evidence were received, alongside workshops and engagement with disabled people, their organisations and experts, to feed into the Review.

Registration for the workshops opens on Wednesday 12 August 2026 at 10am and closes on Friday 21 August 2026 at 5pm. Selected participants will be informed by 4 September 2026.

Selection will be done randomly but the steering group will review and ensure the people chosen represent a balanced range of characteristics. Where a particular characteristic is under-represented, applicants with that characteristic will be identified from the wider applicant pool and selected at random to fill any gaps.

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 28 July 2026.

Thousands more young people will be able to gain the skills, qualifications and experience they need for future careers, as the government today rolls out a major package to break down barriers stopping access to technical education, training, and apprenticeships.

• New bursary supports young people by removing a key financial barrier to apprenticeships.
• Thousands more college places to expand access to skills and training close to home.
• Free apprenticeship training for all eligible under-25s from August, up to £8,000 in support for SMEs hiring young apprentices, and NICs relief for apprentices under 25 will help deliver 50,000 new youth apprenticeships.

Through new financial support, more college places and greater access to apprenticeships, the package will help more young people develop the skills local employers need, connect to the technical pathways being created in their area, and access the opportunities needed to build successful careers.

The measures form part of the Prime Minister’s wider mission to strengthen the link between education and work, ensuring no young person is left behind because they lack the opportunities, skills, or support to succeed.

Building on today’s wider reforms giving 14-year-olds greater access to technical learning and meaningful work experience, these changes will help more young people aged 16 to 19 continue developing practical skills and real-world experience as they move into the next stage of education and training.

A new bursary, worth up to £4,500 per year per household, will remove a barrier that can otherwise discourage young people from taking up an apprenticeship, helping them build the skills and independence that lead to long-term, well-paid work.

Apprenticeships are widely recognised to deliver skilled workers, higher productivity and stronger growth for the economy, and this bursary ensures more young people can access those benefits.

The bursary targets the small number of Universal Credit families for whom the current system disincentivises apprenticeships. A Social Security Advisory Committee report found single parents with a disabled child could lose up to £340 per week in benefits when a young person started an apprenticeship, exceeding the expected apprenticeship salary of £258 per week. The bursary addresses this shortfall, so that this is no longer a barrier to a young person taking up an apprenticeship.

The bursary, funded through the £1 billion additional investment in the Growth and Skills Levy announced in May, will help stop young people from turning down the chance to earn and learn due to cost.

It is part of a wider package of apprenticeship support, including the government’s decision to fully fund apprenticeship training for all eligible under-25s from 1 August, helping thousands more young people take up an apprenticeship with confidence. Alongside new support for employers taking on apprentices, these reforms will help deliver 50,000 new youth apprenticeships by the end of this Parliament.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:

Every young person deserves the chance to build a future they can be proud of, and our welfare system should be a springboard to opportunity, not a barrier to it.

By providing bursaries to those who need them most and fully funding apprenticeship training, we are making sure cost is not the reason someone misses out. Coupled with up to £8,000 in financial support for employers, this is a serious investment in the next generation and in the future of our economy.

This builds on wider investment already helping colleges grow where demand is highest – we are investing £9 billion into 16 to 19 education in 26-27, enabling providers to grow high-quality pathways for thousands more learners.

We are now going further, investing a further £287 million to create over 22,000 additional places across colleges and post-16 providers in other areas. Working across 87 projects in England, this includes expanding construction courses, helping more young people train for careers such as bricklaying, plumbing and decorating.

With over one million young people currently NEET – around one in eight young people in England – today’s action is another step towards ensuring more young people can stay connected to education, training, and opportunity as they move into adulthood.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell said:

Too many young people face unnecessary barriers to apprenticeships, college places and training. We’re investing to change that.

This government is determined to help thousands more young people gain the skills, experience, and confidence they need to build successful careers.

The jobs of the future are already being created – and it’s our job to ensure that every young person, wherever they live and whatever their background, has the skills and support they need to succeed.

Boosting the number of college places, alongside much needed additional places in sixth form colleges and 16-19 academies, forms a key part of the government’s push to end the snobbery around hands-on learning. We want technical education to be every bit as valued as the academic route, so that every young person can choose the pathway that is right for them.

By creating clearer routes from school into college, apprenticeships and skilled work, the government is making sure young people can keep building towards a successful career rather than falling out of education at 16.

Today’s announcement is part of the biggest overhaul of support for young people in a generation. Alongside greater technical learning, more work experience, new vocational qualifications, and wider reforms to help young people into work, it will create a clearer journey from the classroom into a skilled career.

Together, these reforms represent a new partnership between government, employers, colleges, and local leaders to ensure every young person can progress from education into skilled work, while giving businesses the workforce they need to grow.

Additional Information

• The bursary and free training for under-25s is being funded through the £1 billion additional investment in the Growth and Skills Levy, announced in May 2026. The final amount of the bursary will be confirmed in due course.
• As Universal Credit policy applies across Great Britain, we will be working closely with the Scottish and Welsh Governments as we develop the detail.
• The full list of colleges that will receive funding is available here: GOV.UK
• The Milburn Review found that of those NEET for less than a year, 65% return to participation the following year; of those NEET for more than a year, only 25% do.
• A recent report from the Social Security Advisory Council found that a single-parent household on Universal Credit could lose out by around £80 a week if a disabled young person took up an apprenticeship earning the apprenticeship minimum wage.
• From October 2026, smaller firms will receive a £2,000 hiring bonus for taking on under-25 apprentices.

Philip Hoare, Group Chief Executive, Balfour Beatty, said:

Apprenticeships change lives. They open doors to skilled careers, help employers build the workforce they need and play a vital role in supporting long-term economic growth.

We’re incredibly supportive of the Government’s commitment to removing barriers that prevent young people from accessing these opportunities and increasing support for employers investing in the next generation. As a long-standing champion of apprenticeships, Balfour Beatty sees first-hand the difference they make to individuals, businesses and communities across the UK.

Abdi Mohamed, Head of Policy, Research and Influencing at disability equality charity Scope, said:

This bursary is a positive step which removes a real financial barrier for some disabled young people.

A million disabled people in the UK want to work but face significant barriers getting into and staying in employment, so it’s encouraging to see the Government taking practical action.

Life costs a lot more if you are disabled. No young disabled person should have to turn down an apprenticeship because their family would be financially worse off.

We welcome this announcement and hope it is the first of many steps the Government takes to work with disabled people to tackle the wider structural barriers they face getting into and staying in work.

Brian Dow, Chief Executive, Mental Health UK:

Recognising the barriers that can prevent young people starting apprenticeships and employment opportunities sends a really positive message. We see in our programmes that young people want to earn and learn, but it’s crucial they have the right support to make this a reality.

Being out of work or education can take a significant toll on young people’s mental health and wellbeing. This is another step up in providing access to apprenticeships and other pathways into employment that will help young people build skills and experience, while providing a sense of purpose, confidence, and hope for the future.

Dominic King-Carter, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers Trust, said:

We know financial barriers are particularly real for young carers juggling care, work and education, especially those who are disabled themselves. This is a positive step towards reducing barriers into important opportunities like apprenticeships for this group.

There are more wins available to Government that would give all young carers the best chance of a fair future. This is another encouraging sign that this Government is willing to act to reduce barriers that young people face. We look forward to continuing to work with the Government to ensure young carers are better supported to access the education or training opportunities they want.

Lizzie Crowley, Senior Policy Advisor ‑ Skills at the CIPD, said:

The new bursary is a welcome and practical step that should remove a significant financial barrier for disabled young people and their families. No young person should have to turn down an apprenticeship because taking one up would leave their household worse off. Making apprenticeships genuinely accessible isn’t just fair to the individual, it’s how we close skills gaps and build the capability the economy needs.

Alongside wider support for youth apprenticeships, this should help more young people access the skills, experience and opportunities they need to build a successful career and help employers build the more inclusive, skilled workforce that drives better performance.

Simon Ashworth, Deputy CEO and Director of Policy, Association of Education and Learning Providers, said:

The new bursary of up to £4,500 a year is a welcome step that removes a significant financial barrier preventing some young people from both taking up and completing apprenticeship. By tackling the household benefit trap, more young people will be able to choose an apprenticeship based on their ambitions rather than their family’s finances.

If we are serious about reducing the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training, we have to make it easier for employers to recruit them. Fully funding apprenticeship training for eligible under-25s is a major step towards that goal and should encourage many more businesses to invest in the next generation of young talent.

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 7 July 2026.

Opening today (Tuesday 7 July 2026) the six-week call for evidence will gather views on: modernising the earnings limit to reduce the impact of the current cliff edge, improving predictability for carers with varying incomes, and better supporting those with work and caring responsibilities.

• Carers, people with care needs and carers’ organisations encouraged to have their say on reforms to be made to the outdated system inherited from previous Government.
• Findings will inform work on the future modernisation of Carer’s Allowance.
• Comes after action taken to improve carers’ lives with the biggest ever boost to the earnings allowance.

Unpaid carers and their organisations are being invited to share their views on how to improve Carer’s Allowance, as part of the first major review of the benefit since it was first introduced half a century ago.

Issues with the Carer’s Allowance system inherited by the Government were laid bare in the landmark Sayce Review. This found unclear guidance on averaging fluctuating earnings left carers building up debts without realising, and that the earnings limit had failed to keep pace with modern working patterns.

The Government has already raised the weekly earnings limit to a record £204 a week, updated guidance, and taken decisive action to address the failures the Sayce Review identified. Carers can now earn around £10,000 a year while keeping their support.

This call for evidence goes further by looking at whether to introduce an earnings taper and changes to rules that cap how many hours a carer can work before losing their benefit, to reflect modern caring patterns.

Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms said:

Unpaid carers are the backbone of our communities — quietly providing support that makes an enormous difference to the lives of those they love.

They deserve a system and level of support that properly reflects the contribution they make, and we are determined to deliver that.

This call for evidence is our commitment to going further — and to making sure carers’ voices shape every step of what comes next.

Earlier this year, the DWP launched a reassessment exercise reviewing 200,000 cases — with around 25,000 cases set to see debts reduced, cancelled, or refunded. New capital disregard regulations coming into force next week will ensure those refunds do not affect entitlement to Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Housing Benefit.

Emily Holzhausen CBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers UK, said:

We need to see further reform to Carer’s Allowance because the current system is outdated and no longer reflects the realities of caring today. This includes inflexible rules around the earnings limit which are hard to navigate for carers with fluctuating earnings and can dissuade some from claiming what they are entitled to altogether.

We welcome the government’s call to gather further evidence around this and its acknowledgement that Carer’s Allowance, which was first introduced 50 years ago, should be a priority for change to better support those who contribute so much to society. Caring is not a one-size-fits-all experience, and so it’s important that the government hears from as many people as possible on this topic in the next six weeks.

Carer’s Allowance has supported carers and their loved ones since 1976 — but it hasn’t kept pace with how people work today. This call for evidence is the next step in changing that.

Carers, their organisations, and anyone with experience of caring are encouraged to have their say before the call for evidence closes on 18 August 2026.

The evidence gathered will inform future changes the government makes to Carer’s Allowance – putting carers voices at the heart of the effort to build a benefit that is fair, modern and reliable for the people who depend on it most.

Kirsty McHugh, CEO of Carers Trust said: 

This major review of Carer’s Allowance is something we, carers, and the 130+ local carer services in our network have long called for. It has been clear for some time that Carer’s Allowance needs to be modernised and brought into the twenty-first century. Society, work and caring have all been thoroughly transformed since Carer’s Allowance was first introduced in 1976, so it’s incredibly encouraging that the Government has recognised this and committed to creating a system that not only reflects these changes but also gives carers the support they really need. 

We look forward to working with the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure the voices of carers and the services dedicated to them are at the heart of any reforms to Carer’s Allowance. We want this review to be a real step change in the way carers are supported – paving the way for a fairer world for carers.

Additional information

• The call for evidence covers modern patterns of care that were not in place when Carer’s Allowance was introduced in 1976.
• Carer’s Allowance is available in England and Wales only, but views and experiences are sought from anyone in the UK.
• Carer’s Allowance is a devolved matter in Scotland. It has been fully replaced by the Scottish Government’s Carer Support Payment.
• Social security is a transferred matter in Northern Ireland, but the Department for Communities there maintains parity with DWP.

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 6 July 2026.

More than 300,000 residents in supported housing and temporary accommodation will no longer face a drop in income when increasing their working hours, under new rules laid in Parliament today.

• Residents in supported housing and temporary accommodation previously faced a “cliff edge” loss of income when increasing their working hours 
• New changes to the welfare system which encourage work and ensure it always pays come into force in October 
• Measure to benefit around 300,000 vulnerable claimants living in supported housing and temporary accommodation

More than 300,000 residents in supported housing and temporary accommodation will no longer face a drop in income when increasing their working hours, under new rules laid in Parliament today [Monday 6 July]. 

The system inherited by this Government left vulnerable people in supported housing having to choose between staying out of work, or risk losing their housing support, because the work allowance was higher for Universal Credit than it was for Housing Benefit. 

 The less generous rules for Housing Benefit created a cliff edge that trapped people on benefits rather than supporting them into work. Some landlords even discouraged residents from taking jobs to protect their own rental income. 

As part of the Government’s commitment to move from a welfare state to a working state, the regulations change how Housing Benefit is calculated so it works in the same way as Universal Credit – a change that will incentivise work for 315,000 people when they come into force in October 2026. 

Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, said: 

The system we inherited was actively pushing some of the most vulnerable residents away from work rather than towards it. These changes fix that – ensuring residents can keep more of what they earn, so that taking a job or increasing hours always pays better than benefits.

This announcement delivers on a commitment made in our Autumn Budget, and forms part of the government’s wider plan to reform the welfare system – tearing out the barriers that have trapped people in dependency.

We are replacing that system with one that rewards work and ensures people keep more of what they earn, while protecting those who need it most.

Today’s rules come alongside previous steps to help people on disability benefits that want to work, into work. We have already rebalanced Universal Credit to tackle the perverse incentives that discouraged work and introduced Right to Try legislation, allowing sick or disabled people to try work without the immediate fear of reassessment.   

These measures come alongside our Connect to Work programme, which delivers tailored, personalised, local support that will help 300,000 people into work, and the deployment of 1000 Pathways to Work advisers to help those written off by the previous Government. 

Additional Information 

• The Housing Benefit (Earned Income Disregards) Regulations 2026 laid before parliament on 6th July 2026, come into force on 5 October 2026.  
• Five new earned income disregards are being introduced for working-age Housing Benefit claimants in supported housing and temporary accommodation.  
• Disregard values will be updated annually. No group is made worse off by this change; any variation in the immediate financial gain reflects how existing Universal Credit and Housing Benefit tapers already operate.

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 3 July 2026.

Nearly 200 workplaces have signed up to be “Vanguards” preventing people dropping out of work due to ill-health, in a new milestone for the programme.

• Over 250 employers, 10 mayoral authorities and all 3 devolved administrations work with Sir Charlie Mayfield, reshaping how disability and ill-health are supported at work.
• Latest Keep Britain Working report shows shared responsibility and better data, supported by personalised plans will be key to helping people remain in work. 
• A new Workplace Health Intelligence Unit will track sickness absence, return-to-work outcomes and disability participation making workplace health performance visible for the first time.

They are among more than 250 employers, providers and organisations which have worked closely with former John Lewis chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working Review to help reshape how health and disability are supported such as through stay-in-work and return-to-work plans. 

Working with businesses big and small, the programme is building a new system that puts earlier workplace support at its heart in order to tackle one of the most urgent workforce challenges facing the country, with 2.8 million people being currently out of work due to long-term sickness. 

His report to Welfare Secretary Pat McFadden last year set out clear actions for employers to ensure people are getting the right support to successfully keep them in work and thriving. These are now being developed and tested in businesses, groups and mayoral authorities across the country. Since the beginning of the Keep Britain Working Review, there has been engagement with businesses and local government in every part of the UK. 

Sir Charlie Mayfield, author of the Keep Britain Working Review & Co-Chair of the Keep Britain Working programme, said:

For too long, the system has been organised around supporting people after they get ill or face barriers. We need to shift the emphasis to earlier action, better integration, and a genuine, shared commitment to keeping people healthy and in work. What’s been striking is not just the quality of insight we’ve seen from vanguards, but the shared ambition and enthusiasm in regions and across such a wide range of employers.

It’s rare to find an opportunity that benefits employers, improves people’s life chances, and reduces government spending – all without large up-front investment. This is growth hiding in plain sight. Our work so far demonstrates this is all achievable and the benefits are significant.

Sir Charlie said employers must be ‘on the pitch’, engaging in employee health and well-being, measuring outcomes and developing ‘stay in work and return to work plans.’

The current vanguards demonstrate the benefits to work and health for employees, especially when providers make support more accessible and affordable. 

Work is underway on a ‘standard’ for employers who offer a certain level of workplace health provision, at a level which is affordable. 

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:

The response from employers has been remarkable. Across every region and every sector, businesses want to do better by their workforce; they just need the right framework and the right support. 

Keep Britain Working is delivering both. A new national standard, better data, and real accountability. This is how we fix the broken system, keep people in work and grow our economy.

As a part of this, a new Workplace Health Intelligence Unit will be created, which will collect standardised data from employers and providers across the UK to increase dramatically the focus on prevention and to enable proactive steps to address emerging health issues

Currently, sickness absence is tracked inconsistently, and return-to-work outcomes are rarely measured. The Unit will enable benchmarking, drive improvement, and will give government a stronger evidence base. 

Health and Social Care Secretary James Murray said:

For too long, too many people have been handed fit notes without any extra support. What they really need is help to stay in work or get back to work safely.

A piece of paper that so often closes doors is no substitute for a plan that opens them. That’s why we’re shifting the focus from signing people off to helping them stay in work or return as soon as they are ready.

Good work is good for health. By helping employers step in earlier and work more closely with the NHS, we can help more people live healthier, more independent lives, ease pressure on the NHS and support economic growth.

Business Secretary, Peter Kyle said:

For too many disabled people and those with health conditions, barriers at work mean they miss out on the chance to thrive in their careers — and that’s something we’re determined to change.

These organisations are showing what’s possible when employers genuinely invest in their people. Healthy, inclusive workplaces aren’t just good for business — they make a real difference to people’s lives.

Thirty Vanguard organisations took part in intensive employer-led “sprints” – working with each other on best practice regarding prevention, staying in work, returning to work, and data gathering which can be adopted more widely

Seventy further organisations and ten regional workshops including small and medium sized businesses tested those findings, ensuring a broad coverage and input from across the UK. 

Following these sprints, the message from employers was consistent: we must focus on outcomes, not paperwork and process. The report sets out a clear emerging direction with the need to create: 

• Shared responsibility: where employers, employee, providers and government all have a role to play in delivering a new system which better supports people to remain in work successfully
• Better data: as the engine for change, driving accountability, market quality and long-term system improvement.

This progress sits within a £3.5 billion employment support package. WorkWell, backed by £259 million will support up to 250,000 people to stay in or return to work. Connect to Work will reach 300,000 sick or disabled people with tailored support. Over 1,000 full-time Pathways to Work advisers are already in place across Britain.

The government is also committed to further steps to bring about effective and sustainable reform, and this will be guided by the Milburn and Timms reviews, which are due to conclude later this year.

Phillippa O’Connor, Chief People Officer at PwC, commented on the Keep Britain Working Review:

Keeping people in work has to be at the heart of tackling economic inactivity. We’ve built a system that’s focussed on responding once people have left work rather than preventing them from leaving in the first place.

That’s what this review is starting to change and it’s great to see the momentum of more employers taking action.

Our experience in the ‘stay in work’ sprint shows that earlier, targeted interventions – backed by better data and well-supported line managers – can stop short-term sickness becoming long-term absence. Crucially, the success of stay in work plans depend on shared responsibility between employers and employees working together. 

The priority now is turning that insight into consistent practice across UK workplaces, by scaling what works and creating the right conditions for open conversations about health and wellbeing.” 

Alistair Cochrane, CEO Royal Mail said:

We know how important work is for people’s wellbeing, and how challenging it can be when health issues start to affect someone’s ability to stay in work.

At Royal Mail, there is a collective sense of purpose in helping colleagues remain in work wherever possible, with the right support in place. 

Being part of the Keep Britain Working programme allows us to play our part in developing better support, earlier interventions and more personalised approaches that help colleagues stay connected to work.

Diane Lightfoot, CEO, Business Disability Forum:

We were pleased to support Keep Britain Working’s disability inclusion sprint by facilitating stakeholder feedback workshops with some of the Vanguard employers. The workshops gave employers the opportunity to discuss the types of support they provide and the outcomes they would like to see for their employees around health and wellbeing in the workplace. It is good to see so many Business Disability Forum Members becoming Vanguard employers and engaging in this agenda.

Anne Hayes, Director of Standards Development, British Standards Institution, said: 

It’s incredibly positive to see that nearly 200 workplaces have signed up to be “Vanguards” preventing people dropping out of work due to ill-health. 

The role employers play in helping people stay in work should not be underestimated. Our recent report, The Value of Creating a Culture of Trust, found that the UK could be losing £9.9 billion in productivity each year because employees feel unable to speak openly about their health and wellbeing, and miss out on the support they need to continue to contribute. 

Nearly half of staff who are not confident raising health concerns with their employer have left a role or taken extended leave as a result.

At BSI we are proud to be partnering with the Mayfield Review to enable employers to help organisations create healthier working lives throughout every stage of employment, and ultimately build workplace cultures rooted in trust.

Emma Taylor, Tesco Chief People Officer, said:

We’ve long recognised that Tesco has an important role to play in supporting health and wellbeing at work. We want colleagues to feel supported and able to thrive, which is why we continue to invest in services that help them access advice and support when they need it, including our Employee Assistance Programme and 24/7 Virtual GP service. By making it easier for colleagues to seek help and address concerns early, we can support better health outcomes and help colleagues stay well in work.

Prevention is more effective than cure, but creating a truly preventative system requires employers, healthcare providers and government to work together. That’s why we’re proud to be a Vanguard Employer for Keep Britain Working and welcome the progress being made towards helping more people stay healthy and thrive in work.

Additional Information:

• Please see the second ‘Story so far’ report.
• The latest list of organisations who have expressed an interest in working with us in the Vanguard:

	Organisations
3-1-5 Health Club	Health Partners Group	Royal Mail
A&M EDM	Health Shield	PreCure ApS
Acas	HealthHero	Psychiatry UK
The Association of Medical Insurers and Intermediaries (amii)	Holland & Barrett	Public Health Scotland
ARKIVE by Adam Reed	Home Office	Pure Unity Health Group
Ascenti Health Group	Hospitality Action	Pure Gym
Association of British Insurers	HR Support 4u Ltd	PwC UK
Aviva	Hussle	Rail Safety & Standards Board
AXA Health	Independent Healthcare Providers Network	Ramboll UK & Ireland
Barts Health NHS Trust	Ingeus	Renew Beauty
BP	Inspired Ergonomics	Retail Trust
British Airways	Insurance at Heart	Rethink Mental Illness
British Beer & Pub Association	J Sainsburys	Rio Tinto
BT Group	Jaguar Land Rover	Road Haulage Association
Bupa UK	John Lewis Partnership	Rolls-Royce
Burger King	Journey Enterprises	Seddon
Business in The Community	Kore Sandwell	Serco
ByteDance	Latus Group	Severn Trent Water
Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust	Legal & General Group	Sick in the City (SIC)
Canada Life	Lloyds Banking Group	Siemens
Canary Wharf Group	Loughborough University	Simplyhealth Group
Capita	LSN Diffusion	Sky UK
Career Returners	Marks and Spencer	Sonder
Cartrefi Cymru Co-operative	Maximus UK	Sopra Steria
Carolina House Trust	McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd	South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
CBI	Medicash	SpaMedica
Centrica	Mental Health UK	Spire Healthcare
Change Grow Live	Mental Health First Aid England	Square Health
Channel 4	Microlink PC	SSE Plc
Chrysalis Courses	Mind Matters Counselling LLP	Scottish Union of Supported Employment
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners	Mission Remission	Teladoc Health
COOK Food	Moneypenny	TELUS Health
Cora Health	Motionspot	Tesco
Cosy Direct	Nando’s	The Anti Burnout Club
Crown Estate	National Hair and Beauty Federation	The Busy Group
Currys	NCPS	The Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
Dene Healthcare	NHS Business Services Authority	The Clear Company
Department for Business & Trade	NHS Cheshire and Wirral Trust	The Gym Group
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero	NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board	The Human Centre
Department for Health & Social Care	Northern Trains Limited	The Ink Group
Department for Work and Pensions	Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust	The Migraine Trust
Disability Action (Northern Ireland)	North Yorkshire Hospice Care	Thrivall
East Midlands Railway (EMR)	Nuffield Health	Transport for London
EDF Energy	One Medical Group	Transport for Wales
Endometriosis UK	Onebright	Truro & Penwith College
Enginuity	Optima Health	Turning Point
Epilepsy Action	PA Consulting	UKHospitality
Evenbreak	PAM Wellness	University of Cambridge
EY UK	Parachute	Unum
Fedcap	Passion4Social	Vercida
Ford UK	Patchwork Hub	Vitality
Future Fit	Pathways CIC	Vitality 360
Genius Within	Peak Health Coaching Ltd	Vivam Health
Goodshape	People Partner 4U	Waltham Forest College
Google UK	Peppy Health	Wellebit
Grayling UK	PepsiCo UK	Wellhub
Haleon	Pharmacy2U	Wise Corp
HCA Healthcare	Standard Life plc	Working to Wellbeing
HCML	Places for People	WPA
Health 2 Employment	Places Leisure	Zellis Group
	Posturite	Zurich UK

• The Regional Vanguards working with us are:

	Regions
Cornwall Council	Greater Manchester	West Midlands Combined Mayoral Authority
East Midlands	Liverpool City Region Combined Authority	West of England Combined Mayoral Authority
Greater London Authority	North East Combined Mayoral Authority	West Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority
	South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority	Worcestershire County Council

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 1 July 2026.

More than 650 young people from across Brighton and the wider local area descended on the world-famous Brighton Centre to meet with some of the region’s best-known employers yesterday.

• Over 650 young people attended Brighton’s first ever youth jobs fair – part of the government’s Youth Guarantee – held at the Brighton Centre. 
• The event brought young people face to face with more than 50 employers and training providers including Mace Construction, JD Sports and Gatwick Airport Employers and saw more than 200 job interviews secured. 
• Youth Guarantee Jobs Fairs are part of wider youth employment support, backed by £2.5 billion which will ensure every young person has the chance to earn or learn.  

“Launch Your Future” was Brighton’s first ever youth jobs fair to be hosted as part of the Youth Guarantee, the government’s scheme to ensure every young person is either earning or learning.  

Young jobseekers were given rare, direct access to a huge range of employment and training opportunities, all brought together under one roof. With employers including Pure Gym, Gatwick Airport Employers and more offering sector specific advice.  

Employers and training providers provided jobseekers with details of the hundreds of open vacancies and apprenticeships opportunities with more than 200 interviews scheduled, including second stage interviews. 

Sessions provided young jobseekers with a chance to discuss and ask for advice on AI tools to support job searching, the apprenticeship assessment process, CV and interview advice and an introduction to Movement to Work placements.  

Alongside this, DWP advice desks shared tailored support for individuals on job searching, live vacancies, apprenticeship opportunities, support with childcare costs and more. 

Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: 

Brighton’s first Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair showed exactly what this government’s youth employment drive is all about – creating opportunity and bringing young people face to face with employers.  

Young jobseekers have been shown what the next step in their career journey could be – and in some cases will have left with a job offer.  

I’m delighted so many local employers are choosing to back our Youth Guarantee, and we will keep going further so we can ensure every young person has the chance to earn or learn.

Before the event, young jobseekers received specialised group information sessions to help them get the most out of meeting employers face-to-face. 

They also received hands-on advice covering everything from filling in applications to preparing for interviews – giving them the skills and confidence they need to take their first step into the world of work. 

Yesterday’s jobs fair forms part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to tackling youth unemployment and ensuring young people can access the opportunities available in their local area.  

By bringing together jobseekers from across the region alongside a broad range of employers the event has helped create lasting pathways into sustainable employment for young people across Brighton and the southeast. 

Yesterday’s event reinforces the Government’s commitment that all young people under the age of 25 should be offered one of the following high-quality pathways:  

• employment  
• continued education  
• an apprenticeship  
• a traineeship, work experience placement or Sector-Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) 

Additional Information:

Over 50 employers and providers from across Brighton and the southeast attended the jobs fair, including: DWP FSF Desk / Success Desk 

• The Latest 
• Arundel Care Services 
• Play9 LTD 
• Disability Services Access To Work 
• Home Instead 
• Churchill Services  
• Ansacare 
• PACEY 
• The Gym Group 
• National Careers Service 
• BHCC HR team (Cheryl )  
• Rybka Fish and Chips 
• DWP WEX Desk 
• Castle Accommodation Ltd 
• Quint Education 
• All Care Ltd 
• Brighton Palace Pier  
• Bright Horizons Nursery  
• FEDCAP 
• BHAFC ( stewarding)  
• B&M 
• JD Sports  
• C&C Healthcare 
• The Grace Eyre Foundation 
• Gatwick Airport employers 
• Murder Actually 
• GBR Met 
• Concordia  
• Aldridge Adult Learning 
• Tungsten Training 
• Brighton Probation  
• Guild Care Limited 
• Red Skye Personnell Ltd 
• PureGym 
• Nandos (Brighton and Horsham) 
• Plumpton College (inclusive of One Garden) 
• Brighton & Hove Education Academy  
• Creative Process (courses and apprenticeships) 
• Sodexo 
• Sussex Police 
• South Downs Leisure 
• WSCC (West Sussex CC) Connect 2 Work 
• Mace Construction 
• ATW Cargo 
• Oxfam 
• Brighton Youth Hub 
• Dnata 
• Brighter Horizons Training 
• Lindfield Coffee 
• DWP Apprenticeship Matching Desk 
• Queen Victoria Hospital 
• The Talent People 
• Movement to Work 
• Andy Taylor Foundation 
• Randstad 
• Creative Futures 
• DWP Job Matching Desk 
• DWP Job Matching Desk 
• DWP Upfront Childcare Desk 
• DWP Armed Forces Desk