New DWP plans to get people with back, joint, and muscle health conditions into work
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that people with back, joint, and muscle issues living in areas with the worst waiting lists for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are to be treated quicker and supported back into employment as part of the UK Government’s new ‘Get Britain Working’ white paper.
The latest figures from the DWP show that at the end of October, more than 1.1 million people in England and Wales were receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) of up to £737.20 each month in additional financial support for MSK conditions. As part of the Government’s drive to tackle economic inactivity - where someone is out of work and not looking for work - 17 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across England will share part of a £3.5 million package to improve MSK services.
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The new plans will not be implemented in Scotland. The funding will see each area in England and Wales receive up to £300,000 to treat one of the main drivers of economic inactivity, and is part of the Labour Government’s Plan for Change which will “put more money into people’s pockets and get the NHS back on its feet”.
The MSK Community Delivery Programme will be administered through NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) programme, and will give ICBs the resources and leadership to develop more efficient ways of getting MSK patients treated, off waiting lists and back onto the path of employment.
Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern MP, said: “For too long people locked out of work with health issues have been forgotten about and denied the support they need to get well and get working. It’s stifling our economy and preventing those eager to progress in life from unleashing their full potential.
“This multi-million-pound funding boost means musculoskeletal patients across the country will get the help they need, as we give clinical leaders the resources to innovate, get people off waiting lists and get Britain working again.”
The UK Government says there are 2.8m people economically inactive due to long-term health and MSK is the second largest reason given, behind mental health. Around 646,000 people - around 1 in 4 (23%) - said MSK was their primary condition.
Waiting lists for MSK community services are the highest of all community waits in England, at 348,799 people in September 2024, with approximately 23.4m working days in the UK being lost due to MSK conditions in 2022 alone.
Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne, said: “With prevention, early detection and treatment, we know that the 17 million people with musculoskeletal issues in England could better manage their conditions, improving their quality of life and enabling them to rejoin the workforce.
“Through the Plan for Change, the government is taking decisive action to drive down waiting lists, improve treatment options and boost the economy.”
Several of the 17 ICB locations spearheading the delivery of this programme also host NHS England’s Further Faster 20 programme and the UK Government’s recently announced WorkWell programme.
Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Versus Arthritis, said: “With over 20 million people living with musculoskeletal conditions, including 10 million with arthritis, Versus Arthritis understands the devastating impact these conditions can have on working lives.
“Arthritis can cause debilitating pain, joint stiffness and prevent people doing everyday tasks, with work sometimes made to feel an impossible challenge.
“MSK Community Services can be an invaluable resource for people with arthritis, and we are delighted to see the launch of this programme in dedicated sites across England, and in the future across the whole country.”
The Government announced the launch of the Get Britain Working White Paper in November as part of the biggest reforms to employment support for a generation, bringing together skills and health to get more people into work and get on in work.
