£42.8 Million Funding to Boost Employment for Disabled in West London

West London is now leading the way in helping people with disabilities and health conditions find meaningful work, thanks to the UK Government’s new five-year Connect to Work initiative.

This pioneering programme is part of a major effort to reduce economic inactivity, provide tailored support, and create fairer opportunities across England and Wales.

What Is the Connect to Work Programme?

Connect to Work is a newly launched government employment scheme focused on helping disabled individuals, people with health conditions, and those with additional support needs to overcome barriers and get into work.

The programme is expected to support 100,000 people per year nationally with:

• One-to-one job coaching and employment advice
• Skills training and development
• Help with job matching and interview preparation
• Support for employers to make reasonable adjustments and retain disabled staff

West London Leads the Way with £42.8 Million Funding

The West London Alliance — a partnership covering Ealing, Barnet, Harrow, Hillingdon, Brent, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Hounslow — will receive £42.8 million over five years, with £9 million released in year one.

This funding will support up to 3,500 residents in the region by offering personalised employment solutions through Shaw Trust, the programme’s delivery partner.

Real People, Real Change: Success Stories from West London

As the initiative gets underway, some early success stories include:

Arman – Left his job due to mental health challenges. With support, he attended workshops, improved his CV, and eventually found a new job.
Midula – Living with learning and speech difficulties, she gained confidence and job readiness through tailored interview training.
Bill – Despite his physical health declining, he’s remained employed at Harrow Council for 40 years thanks to workplace adjustments.

These stories show the positive impact of person-centred support and how it can help people build brighter futures.

Part of a Bigger Mission: Get Britain Working

The Connect to Work launch in West London is part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change, which aims to:

• Achieve an 80% employment rate across the country
• Support more people into financial independence
• Reduce long-term ill health-related unemployment
• Invest £1 billion in tailored job support nationwide

In addition to West London, areas like South Yorkshire have begun similar efforts, with a focus on community-led action to tackle inactivity.

Tackling Health Barriers with NHS Investment

With 2.8 million people out of work due to ill health, the government is also investing £26 billion in the NHS to tackle waiting lists and help people return to work sooner. This includes providing 2 million additional appointments to speed up treatment.

Ministerial Support and Future Outlook

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall MP praised the launch:

“We’re fixing the broken welfare system and unlocking opportunity for everyone – and I’m proud that West London is leading this important work.”

Meanwhile, David Francis, Director of the West London Alliance, said:

“We are proud to be at the forefront, helping our residents build better lives through sustainable employment.”

The Connect to Work programme is more than just job support. It’s a lifeline for people often left behind by the system. With strong funding, local partnerships, and real stories of success, West London is setting an example for how inclusive employment programmes should be rolled out nationwide.

If successful, the programme could become a model for the rest of the UK – proving that with the right support, everyone can find their place in the workforce.

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