BASE response to the Government's new Back to Work Plan

Following yesterday's announcement of the Government's new Back to Work Plan , Laura Davis, BASE CEO has made the following comment

Disabled, neurodivergent and disadvantaged people need hope and support, not threats of losing their benefits.

The British Association of Supported Employment ( BASE) has been hugely supportive of the Government’s planned Universal Support programme, which has the evidenced-based supported employment model at the heart. Supported Employment, built on the pillars of voluntary access, matching the right people to the right jobs, valuing employers, and providing good quality in work support, repeatedly produces sustained job outcomes.

We believe that access to a good career should be a right and by rebuilding and raising people’s ambition, we can inspire people to feel confident in considering work for the first time or returning to work. The announcement of additional funding into this model is well received but we cannot support any form of sanctions for a group of people who have been demoralised by countless rejected job applications and unsuccessful job interviews   

In a post covid world, instead of fear and conditionality, people need hope, support, and encouragement, more than ever and we worry this narrative portrays a picture of disabled people that is hugely damaging not only to individuals and communities but also the very employers with whom we need to engage and who ultimately will be the ones to offer employment opportunities.

BASE would welcome the opportunity to work with the government to consider the evidenced based models of supporting people, communities, and business, to enable more people to return to work than ever.