By Joe Brunwin, Policy and Public Affairs Lead - England
Throughout July, we’ve explored the potential impact of a Labour government on occupational therapy. With Parliament now in summer recess, let’s delve into the main things that could affect our profession on employment rights and work.
Prime Minister Starmer’s government aims to drive economic growth by enhancing productivity, focusing on economic inactivity and strengthening employee rights. Last week, Liz Kendall MP, the new Work and Pensions Secretary, gave more details on Labour’s strategy.
Workers’ rights and benefits
In the July King’s Speech, the government introduced plans to enhance workers’ rights, which will impact both occupational therapists and the people accessing services. Key proposals include:
- Making flexible working the default from day one for all employees, with employers required to accommodate this as reasonably as possible
- Establishing a Fair Pay Agreement in the adult social care sector
- Banning zero-hours contracts.
These new laws are expected to take effect in mid-2025.
On benefits, Labour plans to reform the Work Capability Assessment and address the backlog of Access to Work claims. We’re awaiting further details on these initiatives, expected later this year.
They have also announced plans to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for around 10 million pensioners who do not currently receive pension credit or other means-tested benefits. Labour has also announced it will stop plans to cap the amount people in England pay for social care, scheduled to come into effect in October 2025.
Employment
With over 2.8 million people out of work due to long-term sickness, the Work and Pensions Secretary emphasised the need to address factors such as health, skills, childcare and transport that influence employment. This includes:
- Integrating Jobcentre Plus and the National Career Service to focus more on helping people secure employment rather than just administering benefits
- Collaborating with local areas to create plans that support more disabled people and those with long-term health conditions in finding work
- Enhancing the roles of local government, working with health professionals, businesses, colleges and the voluntary sector to create more job opportunities.
We’ve written to new ministers, emphasising that by adopting a holistic approach to physical and mental health, occupational therapists can significantly support individuals to gain and retain work. We will also be highlighting the support required through the benefits system for those who can’t work.
The government will publish more proposals in the autumn, and we will respond on behalf of our members.
NHS pay
Elsewhere, the government confirmed it will accept the pay review body recommendation of a 5.5% wage rise for all NHS staff on Agenda for Change contracts in England for 2024/25. We’re pleased to see the hard work of NHS OTs are being recognised and hope the government continues to value those working in health and care roles. We’ll be advocating for better pay and conditions for our members working in social care.
Launching our nation specific action plans
Following the launch of our Action Plan for Wales, we’ll be launching nation specific plans for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The plans will set out how we will deliver our Workforce Strategy over the coming years. We’ll be speaking with MPs and the new government about our plans to let them know how occupational therapy can help them deliver their priorities.