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Milburn review to propose subsidised flexible jobs for disabled young people
Alan Milburn’s review of youth employment is expected to call for a major expansion of work opportunities for disabled young people, including government-subsidised jobs and tailored skills support. It argues that current employment and welfare systems leave many young people with disabilities or long-term health conditions facing barriers to work.
The review is due this month and will propose Danish-style “flexi-jobs”, where participants can choose hours suited to their capacity and have wages topped up by the government, potentially starting at four hours a week. It will also suggest “job carving”, dividing a role into tasks that can be matched to different workers. About one million young people are classed as not in education, employment or training; 45% are disabled or in ill health, and disabled young people are three times as likely to be in this group. Milburn has suggested redirecting some of the £4bn spent annually on disability benefits for young people towards employment support, a proposal critics warn could increase poverty if it involves benefit cuts.
In short
- Milburn’s review is expected to propose subsidised work for disabled young people.
- Flexi-jobs could let participants set hours around their health and capacity.
- Critics warn against funding support through cuts to disability benefits.
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The case for
Subsidised flexible jobs and tailored skills support could give disabled young people a realistic route into work when standard roles and hours do not accommodate their needs. Matching tasks to people’s capacities may benefit employers as well as workers, while investment in employment support could reduce isolation and help more young people build skills and independence.
The case against
Subsidies and flexible roles may help some people, but they cannot by themselves overcome inaccessible workplaces, health-related barriers or a lack of suitable jobs. Redirecting money from disability benefits risks worsening poverty if support is cut before secure employment is available, and tying assistance more closely to work could put pressure on people whose health makes paid work difficult.
Explained simply
Alan Milburn is leading a review of youth employment, looking at why some young people struggle to find work and what support could help. Its focus includes young people with disabilities or long-term health conditions, who can face barriers in workplaces and in the systems meant to support them.
The review is expected to propose flexible jobs with hours matched to a person’s capacity, alongside government help to top up wages and support to build skills. It may also suggest splitting a job’s tasks so they can be shared among workers with different abilities.
Around one million young people are not in education, work or training, and disabled young people are more likely than others to be in this position. The review is also considering how public money spent on disability benefits could support employment; critics say changing that spending must not leave people poorer.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Milburn review to call for jobs ’revolution’ for young people with disabilities”.