ONS Finds NHS Job Support Cuts Benefit Claims 2.7 Points, Raises Them 4.2 for Workers
Updated
Updated · FE News · Aug 11
ONS Finds NHS Job Support Cuts Benefit Claims 2.7 Points, Raises Them 4.2 for Workers
1 articles · Updated · FE News · Aug 11
Summary
2.7 percentage points fewer out-of-work NHS Talking Therapies patients were claiming any benefit three years after getting Employment Advisor support alongside therapy, compared with therapy alone.
4.2 percentage points more employed patients were claiming benefits after three years, showing the support had sharply different effects depending on whether people started treatment in work.
3.2 percentage points fewer non-working patients with long-term sickness or disability received Universal Credit or employment support benefits, but 2.4 points more received disability benefits, which ONS said do not necessarily imply joblessness.
8.3% of eligible patients took up the voluntary service, and ONS cautioned that unmeasured differences between groups could mean some results reflect harder work-related circumstances rather than the support itself.
The England study covered April 2014 to April 2024 under the NIHR-backed Support2Work programme, with further research planned on health outcomes, healthcare costs and users' experiences.