The Government has announced a new employment programme offering eligible young people receiving health-related benefits a guaranteed paid job.
The scheme is aimed at young people with disabilities or long-term health conditions and forms part of a wider £2.5 billion programme intended to support almost one million young people towards employment.
Participation in the guaranteed job offer will be voluntary.
Job offer from week 13
Under the new programme, eligible young people will be fast-tracked towards a paid job from week 13 after their Work Capability Assessment.
The Government says the measure is intended to prevent young people with health conditions becoming detached from the labour market and remaining out of work for long periods.
Participation will be voluntary
The Government has said participation in the guaranteed-jobs programme will be voluntary.
That distinction is important: the announcement does not mean every young person receiving a health-related benefit will automatically be required to take a particular job as a condition of continuing to receive support.
Employers to receive Government support
Employers participating in the scheme will receive Government support with costs associated with bringing young people into work.
Participants will also be offered mentoring and additional assistance intended to address barriers to employment, including support relating to mental health, housing and finances.
Part of £2.5bn youth employment programme
The guaranteed-jobs initiative forms part of the Government's wider £2.5 billion youth employment programme.
Ministers say the overall package is intended to support almost one million young people towards work and tackle the number who are not in education, employment or training.
The Government says the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training and report having a disability has doubled over the past decade.
Government targets long-term youth worklessness
The policy represents a further intervention in the Government's attempts to reduce economic inactivity and increase employment among younger people with health conditions.
The confirmed commitment is to provide eligible participants with access to a guaranteed paid job alongside employment support. The eventual impact will depend on take-up, employer participation and implementation of the programme.