- 4th September 2025
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Thousands of disabled people and people facing barriers to work across London will be helped into good, secure jobs following a major expansion of tailored employment support announced by the Department for Work and Pensions today [4 September 2025].
Boroughs in north east and south east London will receive a share of £47.1 million allocated to the Local London sub-region, as part of the Government’s Connect to Work programme.
The scheme uses proven models of intensive, personalised support, including individual coaching from employment specialists, job matching services, and ongoing support for both participants and employers to ensure sustainable employment outcomes.
This innovative five-year programme will be delivered by our nine London boroughs and is expected to help over 12,000 residents who face barriers to employment, or are at risk of losing their job because of these barriers, including those with health conditions, caring responsibilities, or limited access to personalised support.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said “For too long, too many Londoners have been denied the support they need to get back to health and back to work.
“It’s bad for their living standards, it’s bad for their families, and it’s bad for the economy.
“That’s why we’re taking decisive action by investing millions of pounds so sick or disabled people in London and beyond can overcome the barriers they face and move out of poverty and into good, secure jobs as part of our Plan for Change.”
Cllr Ray Morgon, Chair of Local London’s Employment and Skills Board, and Leader of London Borough of Havering said "This marks an important step in making a significant and much needed strategic investment in supporting local employment so that people here can access the help they need to move into and stay in quality local jobs.
“In our boroughs, while we have seen greater progress in growing economic activity than in other parts of London, our unemployment rate is still higher. Connect to Work will provide a vital boost to each of Local London’s boroughs to help our residents in most need of support to get into and stay in good jobs.”
This employment and skills investment across our boroughs comes in addition to the £7m we have already been awarded through the Trailblazer Programme to support residents into work.
Part of the Government’s ‘Get Britain Working’ strategy, both programmes will complement the services that are already available from council services and Jobcentre Plus, and add to our current portfolio of support that has already helped more than 32,000 people get closer to the job market.
Further information: local.london/blog/programmes/connect-to-work
Media contact: Helen McKay, helen.mckay@redbridge.gov.uk / 07796 837 411
