Welfare Reform
In January the Government published its long awaited Welfare Reform Green Paper. From 2008 Incapacity Benefit will be replaced with a new ‘Employment and Support Allowance’ consisting of higher payments for the most severely disabled and sick claimants and back to work plans for those deemed capable of some kind of employment.
About the issue
Protection in the workplace for people affected by cancer
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About the issue
Claimants of the new benefit will be required to attend work-focussed interviews where they will be required to draw up back to work plans and undertake training if necessary to ensure they are equipped to return to the work place.
What we want
Macmillan welcomes the increased support that will be on offer for cancer patients who are ready to return to work but we are concerned that two key areas impacting cancer patients have not been addressed. We are concerned that:
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Cancer patients undergoing active treatment or who are terminally ill need improved provision for waiving and deferring compulsory work-focused interviews.
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A stronger focus on measures to encourage employers to retain and hire sick or disabled workers is needed.
Where we are now
We are currently meeting with ministers and officials at the Department for Work and Pensions to raise our concerns and working with other organisations who share our concerns.
Macmillan also Chairs the Disability Benefits Consortium – a coalition of disability organisations, older people’s organisations, carers’ organisations and advice services who work together on benefit and employment issues.
Protection in the workplace for people affected by cancer
Following extensive lobbying from Macmillan, in July 2005 the Government agreed to extend the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) to include all people with a cancer diagnosis (originally the Act would only have covered certain cancer types). From 5 December 2005 all cancer patients are protected from the point of diagnosis from unjustified discrimination by employers and service providers.
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Have you got a story to tell?
Have you returned to work after a cancer diagnosis? Did your employer provide you with appropriate support to enable you back to work? Or have you been unable to return to work following a cancer diagnosis? We would like to hear from you. Please fill in our online form >>