MINISTERS have been warned off “carrot-and-stick” approaches to getting disabled people and those with long-term illness into work.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced plans for “intensive” tailored support today for people on health-related benefits ahead of wider reforms to fix the “broken welfare system.” 

Work Foundation think tank director Ben Harrison welcomed the commitment for more tailored assistance, but warned that  “as welfare budgets come under increased pressure, ministers must resist the temptation to think about these changes in terms of carrots and sticks to push people into employment.

Instead, he said, they must “focus squarely on de-risking returning to work for those who can, while protecting the living standards, wellbeing and dignity of those who can’t.

“To help these workers remain in or return to employment, government should work with employers to increase access to occupational health services, rights to flexible working — and strengthen sick pay.”