Thousands moved closer to work with support from landmark employment scheme
Thousands of disabled people and those with health conditions and more complex barriers have moved closer to work following support from the Government’s landmark Supported Employment scheme
- 14,000 disabled people and those with health conditions already receiving personalised, specialist support through Connect to Work — with starts already ramping up and set to grow significantly as the programme expands.
- First official statistics show encouraging early signs, with more than a thousand people helped into secure employment -positive results given the programme is still in its infancy.
- Programme on track to support 300,000 people by the end of the decade, as part of the Government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and move from a welfare state to a working state.
Launched last year - and backed by £1 billion over this parliament - the Connect to Work Programme is breaking down barriers to opportunity by helping sick or disabled people, and those with more complex barriers, move out of poverty and into secure employment.
The programme funds support in all areas across England and Wales. Participants – who don’t need to be receiving benefits – can access intensive, one-to-one support from specialist advisers who work around them - meeting in GP surgeries, local cafés, parks or community hubs, wherever feels right for the individual.
The first tranche of data published today shows that despite only being in its first year and most areas opening their services in the later stage of 2025/26:
- Between April 2025 and March 2026, 14,000 participants started on the programme. Numbers grew steadily throughout the year, reaching 4,200 new starters in March 2026.
- 1,600 of those who were out-of-work started in a job, thanks to the programme.
- Between April 2025 and March 2026, over a quarter of people who received Connect to Work support were aged 16 to 24.
It’s part of the Government’s drive to move from a welfare state to a working state and fix the broken system it inherited, with 2.8 million people currently out of work due to ill-health.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:
"For too long, disabled people and those with health conditions were written off - denied the chance to work and the financial security that comes with a good job.
"Connect to Work is built on a simple belief that with the right support, built around the individual, people can and do get into work.
"Today’s figures prove it. Thousands of people are now closer to working, earning and building better lives, and this is just the beginning."
In total, 14,000 people have received tailored support to move closer to employment. With the programme still in its early stages, numbers are expected to grow substantially - rising to 300,000 people across England and Wales by the end of the decade.
Advisers take time to understand each person’s health condition, complex barriers and circumstances, then work with them to remove whatever stands in the way of work, including by: * matching people to jobs that suit their individual needs and circumstances providing practical skills support, such as CV writing, to help people get into and progress at work * working directly with employers to recruit and retain disabled workers continuing to offer support once participants are in work, to help them stay in their role
Mandy Skinner, Chief Executive of Hounslow Council and Chair of the West London Alliance - A Connect to Work delivery area- Health & Employment Board said:
"This programme shows what’s possible when health and employment systems truly work together. We are proud to have pioneered the approach of fully integrating services across primary and secondary care here in West London.
"The next phase is about deepening that approach through data-led integration, so we can reach more residents and support them into sustainable work."
Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council said:
"It’s simply excellent that supporting people to access meaningful work is at the heart of the government’s programme for a fairer Britain.
"For some years now, the councils that make up the West London Alliance have been working together on this agenda to pioneer new approaches which are local, integrated and people-centred."
Today, the Government also confirmed the final funding agreement for South East Wales - up to £32.5 million to support around 9,100 people into work by 2030, so every area is now mobilising support across England and Wales.
Connect to Work sits at the heart of the Government’s wider £3.5 billion employment support package, which includes the national rollout of WorkWell, a proven work and health support service that will help up to 250,000 people get back to health and move closer to work.