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West London will today become the first of 47 areas across England and Wales set to receive dedicated five-year funding aimed at helping disabled people and those with health conditions and additional support needs into work.聽聽

As many as 100,000 people a year are set to receive tailored support nationally - including one-to-one employment advice and skills development - as rollout begins of Connect to Work, a new programme dedicated to help those facing some of the greatest barriers to work.

Over the next five years, a partnership of Local Authorities in West London will receive a total of 拢42.8 million to provide targeted help to up to 3,500 people per year by:

• matching people with job opportunities that suit their needs and circumstances,
• providing essential skills training to help people get into and on at work,
• working with employers to recruit and retain disabled workers.聽

West London will receive almost 拢9 million of the 拢115 million already committed to run the programme in its first year 鈥� a downpayment on their full five-year deal, allowing local leaders to hit the ground running on tackling inactivity in their area.聽 聽

Work and Pensions聽Secretary Rt. Hon Liz Kendall MP, said:聽

As part of our Plan for Change we are fixing the broken welfare system 鈥� getting more people into work, putting more money in people鈥檚 pockets, and putting the benefits bill on a sustainable footing.

The welfare system we inherited has shut too many talented people out of the workplace 鈥� with no support, no prospects, and no opportunities.

We are changing this. That鈥檚 why I鈥檓 delighted to see our Connect to Work programme kick off, with over 拢40 million of funding so local leaders in West London can聽give people in their area the tools they need to get in and on at work in a way that鈥檚 right for them.

The Work and Pensions Secretary is set to visit a community hub in Shepherd鈥檚 Bush to meet people already helped into work by West London鈥檚 existing support offer, including:聽

• Arman聽who had to step away from his job as a bookmaker due to his mental health. With support from West London Alliance Programme, he attended mental health workshops, got help to boost his CV, and found volunteering opportunities, before ultimately landing a new job.聽
• Midula聽who has learning and speech difficulties. West London Alliance Programme is improving her prospect of getting into work through tailored interview prep and giving her the confidence boost she needs to succeed.聽
• Bill聽who has been able to keep working at Harrow Council for 40 years, despite his physical heath deteriorating, thanks to adjustments made so he could stay in his job.聽

David Francis, Director of West London Alliance, said:聽

The West London Alliance Boroughs are proud to be at the forefront of the 鈥楥onnect to Work鈥� initiative, demonstrating the strength of our partnerships and our dedication to improving employment outcomes for West London residents.聽

This programme provides vital and tailored support to those facing challenges in the labour market, helping them to secure sustainable employment and build better lives.

The Connect to Work Programme is one of a number of initiatives being launched to help towards the government鈥檚 aim for an 80% employment rate.

Work has already begun on the plan to Get Britain Working, with South Yorkshire becoming the first of nine 鈥榠nactivity trailblazers鈥� across the country to launch their community-led effort to help people into a job.

This comes as the government unveiled sweeping welfare reforms - backed by a record 拢1 billion to deliver tailored job support for sick and disabled people - opening doors to opportunity, giving people a chance at financial independence, and boosting living standards, as part of the government鈥檚 Plan for Change.聽

With 2.8 million people out of work due to ill-health 鈥� one of the highest rates in the G7 - the government is also combating health-related inactivity at its root聽by investing 拢26 billion in the NHS and delivering 2 million聽extra appointments to reduce medical waiting lists, giving people and the economy a chance to get back on track.

Additional Information:聽

• The West London Alliance Partnership covers Ealing, Barnet, Harrow, Hillingdon, Brent, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Hounslow Local Authorities. Their Connect to Work service will be delivered under contract by Shaw Trust.聽
• The West Midlands and Greater Manchester Combined Authorities received a year鈥檚 funding for employment support as part of their Integrated Settlements - giving Mayors the power to make funding decisions in their area.
• Guidance issued on 26 November 2024 invited areas covering all of England and Wales to develop their plans to deliver Connect to Work over the next 5 years. Last autumn鈥檚 Spending Review confirmed 拢115 million for year 1 (25/26), subsequent funding for the programme will be confirmed through Spending Review 2025.
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