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<p>Following the £2 billion investment announced at the Spring Budget, we announced a new package of support in Autumn Statement 2023 to: double the number of places on the Universal Support employment programme; launch WorkWell in approximately 15 pilot areas to provide light touch work and health support; explore new ways of providing individuals receiving a fit note with timely access to support; and establish an expert group to advise on a voluntary national baseline for Occupational Health provision.</p><p>In the Spring Budget, the government set out new measures to tackle the leading health-related causes keeping people out of work, including specific initiatives for people with MSK conditions:</p><p /><ul><li>Introducing employment advisers within MSK services, including to support people with MSK conditions to thrive in work;</li><li>Developing and scaling up MSK hubs in the Community, building on the example of delivering physical activity interventions in local leisure and community centre venues;</li><li>Making best use of digital health technologies to support people with MSK conditions to better manage symptoms and remain in the workforce. This will include providing access to digital therapeutics for MSK problems.</li></ul><p> </p><p>This new investment builds on the Government’s existing ambitious programme of initiatives to support disabled people and people with health conditions, including people with both arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, to start, stay and succeed in work. These include: the Work and Health Programme; Access to Work grants; Disability Confident; <a href="https://www.support-with-employee-health-and-disability.dwp.gov.uk/support-with-employee-health-and-disability" target="_blank">a digital information service for employers</a>; Disability Employment Advisers and increasing Work Coach support in Jobcentres; Employment Advice in NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care.</p><p> </p><p>On the 24 January 2023, Government announced plans to publish the Major Conditions Strategy (MCS). The Strategy will focus on six major groups of conditions including musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis. It will explore how we can tackle the key drivers of ill-health in England, reduce pressure on the NHS and reduce ill-health related labour market inactivity. The Strategy will focus on six major groups of conditions, including musculoskeletal disorders, and our intention is to publish in early 2024.</p><p> </p><p>In October 2022 we published the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.som.org.uk%2Fsites%2Fsom.org.uk%2Ffiles%2FMSK_Health_Toolkit_for_employers_and_further_education_institutions.pdf&data=05|01|Manuel.Ramos27%40dhsc.gov.uk|46179b1e03eb4329a05b08dab1eef870|61278c3091a84c318c1fef4de8973a1c|1|0|638017937164151338|Unknown|TWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D|3000|||&sdata=2JT4Zdo8eJA43ZQopeH%2FcvyEfTnkf4GN2W7cZ8lOKFo%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">Musculoskeletal (MSK) Health Toolkit for employers and further education institutions</a> which encourages employers to support adolescents and young adults with MSK conditions. The Musculoskeletal health toolkit for employers was developed in partnership with Business in the Community and provides practical information for employers of all sizes to address MSK conditions in the workplace for the working age population.</p><p> </p> |