Budget Boost: Millions to Get a Leg Up in Work
The government’s latest Budget splash is set to shake up the job market for parents, over-50s, disabled folks, and those with long-term health woes. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is pumping £3.5 billion into schemes aimed at smashing barriers to employment and boosting the UK economy.
Massive Millions Poured Into Job Support
- £2 billion targeted at helping disabled people and those with health conditions.
- £70 million dedicated to support for the over-50s crowd.
- £485 million to back unemployed workers and Universal Credit claimants working less than full-time.
These funds are designed to tackle the stubborn labour market hurdles dragging the UK’s growth prospects. The government wants millions to find work and scale the pay ladder.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride MP said: “We know many people want to work but there are very real barriers we need to break down to help them into employment.”
“This package of support helps people at any age and career stage to get into work, progress into better-paid jobs – growing the economy and filling the labour market with skilled employees.”
“These interventions are only the start of a long-term journey to drive down economic inactivity and mobilise more people into seeking employment, which I will continue to lead across Government.”
Childcare Costs Slashed for Working Parents
Parents on Universal Credit will no longer be priced out of full-time work by sky-high childcare bills. From this summer, the childcare cost cap increases significantly.
- For one child, the cap jumps from £646.35 to £951.
- For two children, it leaps from £1,108.04 to £1,630.
Expect regular hikes tied to inflation (CPI) through 2027/28. Plus, parents get help with upfront childcare payments, smashing the current delay caused by reclaiming costs after the fact.
Disabled and Sick Workers Get a Helping Hand
The Health and Disability White Paper is redrawing the benefits landscape to focus on what disabled people can achieve rather than what they can’t. A major shake-up includes scrapping the dreaded Work Capability Assessment, easing people into work with less hassle.
New Universal Support schemes will offer up to 12 months of personalised help, backed by £4,000 per person and 50,000 funded places yearly. Earlier pilot areas are already gearing up to roll out these services nationwide, aiming for swift job placements and lasting employment.
Support Rolls Out for Older Jobseekers
Those over 50 get a fresh boost with a brand-new digital Mid-life MOT—designed to map out long-term work options, helping 40,000 people a year rethink their careers.
They’ll also gain better access to skills training and programmes like the Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP), Train and Progress, and the Returnerships scheme, all crafted to keep older workers in the game.
More Jobcentre Support for Universal Credit Claimants
Jobcentre help is expanding to cover more Universal Credit claimants eager to work longer hours and secure better jobs. Around 80,000 new claimants—partners of existing Universal Credit recipients—will now get personal work coaches for tailored job hunting.
Also, anyone working less than half a full-time week will receive full jobcentre support as the earnings threshold rises to around 18 hours per week. Young workers aged 16-24 on Universal Credit will benefit from Youth Hubs and Youth Employability Coaches to fast-track their career starts.
