BASE welcomes the expansion of Connect to Work as part of the Get Britain Working strategy.

Nine further areas across England and over 40,000 more sick or disabled people will receive intensive employment support to move into secure, fulfilling work and out of poverty, as a result of £167.2 million extra funding to Connect to Work programme announced today.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:

“Writing off people with long-term health conditions or disabilities fails them — and fails our economy" 

"We are giving people a hand up, not a handout, realising their potential and providing them with the skills to succeed as part of our Plan for Change.

"Thanks to local areas hitting the ground running, it is already delivering results – proving that when we invest in people and communities, everyone wins."

BASE welcomes the Government’s commitment to tackling economic inactivity through the expansion of the Connect to Work programme, a key pillar of the Get Britain Working strategy. This investment recognises that good jobs and inclusive workplaces are central to national renewal.

The programme’s voluntary, high-fidelity Supported Employment model, rooted in local leadership and personalised support, is already delivering results. It’s proving that when we invest in people and communities, everyone wins.

BASE has long championed this evidence-based approach, built on high ambition, strong values, and the belief that everyone can work — with the right job, the right support, and the right workplace culture. We are thrilled to see the Government embracing this model and ensuring that efforts to Get Britain Working are truly inclusive.

This is not just about employment — it’s about dignity, purpose, and unlocking potential. We look forward to working with partners across the country to ensure this opportunity reaches those who need it most.

Read the full press release on GOV.UK [link is external ]

Why Values Matter in Supported Employment ; More Than Just a Model!

Employment support is not the same as Supported Employment