Oxford News
DWP unveils new plan to keep disabled people working longer
Nearly 200 workplaces have now signed up as “Vanguard” employers under the Government’s Keep Britain Working programme, part of a wider strategy aimed at tackling the UK’s growing economic inactivity crisis.
The initiative, led by former John Lewis chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield, brings together more than 250 employers, local authorities, NHS organisations and disability groups to test new ways of supporting staff before health problems force them out of work.
At the heart of the latest plans is a new Workplace Health Intelligence Unit, which will, for the first time, collect standardised data on sickness absence, return-to-work rates and disability participation across UK workplaces.
The Government believes better data, earlier intervention and personalised “stay in work” plans could help address one of Britain’s biggest labour market challenges, with 2.8 million people currently out of work because of long-term sickness.
But while ministers argue the reforms are about offering support earlier, disability advocates have long warned that any attempt to reduce welfare spending or increase workforce participation must avoid placing additional pressure on people whose health limits the work they can do.
Sir Charlie Mayfield said the current system intervenes too late: “For too long, the system has been organised around supporting people after they get ill or face barriers.
“We need to shift the emphasis to earlier action, better integration, and a genuine, shared commitment to keeping people healthy and in work.”
He argued that employers should become active partners in workplace health rather than leaving responsibility solely to the NHS or benefits system: “It’s rare to find an opportunity that benefits employers, improves people’s life chances, and reduces government spending – all without large up-front investment.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said businesses had embraced the programme: “The response from employers has been remarkable. Across every region and every sector, businesses want to do better by their workforce; they just need the right framework and the right support.
“Keep Britain Working is delivering both. A new national standard, better data, and real accountability. This is how we fix the broken system, keep people in work and grow our economy.”
The plans form part of the Government’s wider £3.5 billion employment support package, which includes expanded WorkWell services, Connect to Work and more than 1,000 specialist advisers helping disabled people and those with long-term health conditions remain in employment.
Health Secretary James Murray said the Government wanted to move beyond a system centred around issuing fit notes: “For too long, too many people have been handed fit notes without any extra support. What they really need is help to stay in work or get back to work safely.
“A piece of paper that so often closes doors is no substitute for a plan that opens them.”
Supporters argue that good work can improve health outcomes, reduce isolation and prevent people falling permanently out of the labour market.
Business leaders involved in the programme say earlier intervention, better-trained managers and more flexible workplace adjustments could stop short-term sickness becoming long-term absence.
But the initiative also arrives amid wider debate over disability benefits and welfare reform, with campaigners increasingly concerned about whether policies designed to increase employment risk blurring the line between encouraging work and expecting it regardless of an individual’s circumstances.
The Government insists the programme is centred on voluntary support, prevention and better workplace practices rather than forcing people back into employment.
Whether that balance can be maintained as wider welfare reforms continue to develop may become one of the defining questions of Britain’s disability and employment policy over the coming years.
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Companies signed up to the Government’s ‘Keep Britain Working’ programme
The Government says nearly 200 workplaces have now signed up as “Vanguard” employers, with major businesses including:
- Tesco
- Royal Mail
- John Lewis Partnership
- Marks & Spencer
- Google UK
- British Airways
- Jaguar Land Rover
- BT Group
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Sainsbury’s
- Burger King
- PwC UK
- BP
- Ford UK
- Aviva
- AXA Health
- Bupa UK
- Currys
- Nando’s
- Sky UK
The programme also includes NHS trusts, disability charities, insurers, local authorities and regional mayoral authorities across England, alongside all three devolved administrations.
Bees had decided to create a nest inside one of the postboxes at Carfax in Oxford city centre and were determined to stay there.
As you can see in Picture 1, beekeeper Bill Humphries donned his protective gear in June 1992 to remove them.
Shoppers no doubt steered clear as he got to work, making sure they didn’t get stung.
We don’t know if Oxford Mail photographer John Lawrence was similarly protected – if he wasn’t, we assume he stayed well clear and used his long lens.
Once Mr Humphries had removed the bees from the right hand box, he was happy, face mast removed, to have his picture taken posting his own letters.
But to be sure, we note in Picture 2, he chose the left hand ‘bee-less’ postbox!
Mr Humphries may have had his feet on the ground, but that wasn’t the case at Enstone, near Chipping Norton, in 1978 – see Pictures 3 and 4.
The Oxford Mail reported: “Bats in the belfry are commonplace, but at St Kenelm’s church at Enstone, a swarm of bees made its home in the bell tower.
“A ‘congregation’ of about 20,000 bees settled in one of the highest and most inaccessible corners of the church – inside the cavity of a two-feet thick wall.
“Well protected and precariously perched on top of a ladder, retired sub-postmaster Hedley Clarke attempted to coax the swarm out of the wall.
“Helped by Richard Harding, from the village post office, he cut out a section of the nest and put it into a box on the floor of the bell tower.
“But even when the bees decided to abandon their cavity home, Mr Clarke still faced the problem of lowering the box and its contents from the top of the tower to the ground.
“He managed to get the bees down the staircase and took them two and a half miles away.”
Mr Clarke, a keen beekeeper, who had six hives producing honey, said: “I got stung only twice.”
The Oxford Mail headline above the story read: ‘They’ve buzzed off.’
Picture 5 shows Wolvercote beekeeper Mr E D Williams, without protection, confidently removing a swarm which invaded the Oxford University cricket ground in the Parks in 1962.
The bees held up play in the University’s match against Worcestershire as they buzzed across the field towards the pavilion which quickly emptied.
They then settled on a gate before Mr Williams collected them. He later removed a second swarm from St Hugh’s College.
In Picture 6, we see a less dramatic scene – bee enthusiasts at Blenheim Palace in 1967 looking at an ‘apidictor’, which measures and records sounds in a hive.
Father Clive Dytor, parish priest for Chipping Norton and Charlbury, visited The Fox Inn in Middle Barton, which is set to reopen on Saturday, July 18.
The pub, which was closed in 2023, has been taken over by businessman Tony O’Sullivan after a community campaign to ensure its reopening.
The Fox Inn, a building of historical significance, has been part of the village since at least 1809.
A spokesperson for the pub said on social media: “Tony was honoured to welcome Father Clive to The Fox today for a special blessing of the pub.
“As a proud Catholic, Tony was keen to have The Fox blessed as we continue its restoration and prepare to welcome the community through its doors once again.
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“The blessing marks an important milestone in our journey, and we hope it brings prosperity, good fortune, and happiness to everyone who visits.
“We are grateful to Father Clive for taking the time to visit and share this special moment with us.”
Father Clive was awarded the Military Cross in the Falklands War after leading his Royal Marines unit in an assault on an Argentine machine gun position.
He became an Anglican priest and a public school headmaster before converting to Catholicism.
The former England footballer, who co-owns Inter Miami CF, met the squad in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with sons Cruz and Romeo ahead of the match against Norway.
Beckham was seen warmly greeting players, including Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Harry Kane, with hugs and handshakes.
His visit came on the eve of the highly anticipated last-eight encounter in the Miami heat at Hard Rock Stadium.
The England squad arrived in Florida on Friday and began training at Inter Miami’s facilities.
Beckham, 51, showed his support by attending the training session and speaking to the players in the gym before they hit the field.
The former Manchester United and England great, who earned 115 caps for his country, has been seen at numerous World Cup matches this summer.
Since his move from Real Madrid to the LA Galaxy in 2007, Beckham has been a significant influence on Major League Soccer (MLS).
His unique deal allowed him to purchase an expansion club at a discounted price, which led to the creation of Inter Miami.
Despite some challenges since the team’s first season in 2020, the arrival of Lionel Messi has helped propel the club to new heights.
However, Beckham’s day was marked by the absence of his eldest son, Brooklyn, who was noticeably missing from the family gathering.
The match against Norway is set to take place today, with England fans eagerly anticipating the outcome.
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