Sojan Joseph MP Backs Government DWP Reform

The MP for Ashford released in an open letter on social media today that he welcomed the new reforms set out by the Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall.Stating that it would be “a huge boost to our regional and national economies” and describing the Government’s new White Paper, entitled Get Britain Working as “Bold”. The DWP is currently aiming to get 2 million people back into work, raising the employment level from 75% to 80%, many of whom are currently locked out of work because of mental health issues – a specific area of interest to the Ashford MP. 

Sojan Joseph is a former NHS worker of 22 years, he predominantly had worked in mental health and wrote in an open letter on his social media pages – X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and BlueSky – that he was welcoming the new DWP reforms. He assured people that in his previous experience many people with mental health issues would be able to find work with either the correct support from employers or public services – something which the Government had signaled it would be providing in its upcoming reforms. 

He stated that for far too long people with mental health issues had been overlooked in our benefits system and the Government’s strategy of treating health and unemployment as “two-sides of the same coin” was correct. He also stated that helping people with mental health issues back into work can create a huge boost to their self-esteem.  

The Government’s decision to ensure that disabled people are at the centre of any decisions which may affect them made in the DWP’s review this coming spring was an example highlighted by Mr. Joseph of the Government’s new approach to health and welfare reform. 

‘Keep Britain Working’ review was another section of the new White Paper Mr. Joseph drew attention to in his open letter. Highlighting how this would be beneficial for both employers and employees as it would help retain staff, meaning employers do not have to go through the recruitment process as regularly, and staff with health conditions or disabilities are able to stay in the workforce.  

He especially outlined how much he welcomed the Government’s ‘Youth Guarantee Scheme’, which will help young people aged between 18-21, who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)find access to an apprenticeship – of whom a dipropionate number suffer from ill mental health. A study by the School-Home Support charity found that around 42% of NEET young people experienced stress/anxiety, 29% experienced depression, and 8% self-harmed.  

Sojan Joseph described the current welfare system as “not fit for purpose” and echoed the Government critique of the “box-ticking” and “shame” culture at JobCentres – welcoming the move towards a skills-based approach and away from the current blame culture, with £55 million investment in tailored careers advice.