The Department for Work and Pensions () has issued a major update on its plans to overhaul the system.

The benefits department has announced plans to use 1,000 work coaches to help the long-term unemployed into work. According to , the work coaches are already employed by, but they will be "redeployed" to different areas. The coaches are set to offer tailored and "intensive" support to people on health-related benefits. The help offered will include support in writing CVs and interview techniques.

Ministers described the plans as a "downpayment" and hope that pushing claimants into work will help them cut the rising cost of health and disability benefits. In October 2024, the Office for Responsibility (OBR) forecast total spending on health and disability benefits would rise from £64.7billion in 2023-24 - which is 25% higher than before the Covid-19 pandemic - to £100.7billion in 2029-30.

At the time, the Labour government also confirmed that it is committed to making the same level of cuts as the former Tory government planned to make - which is £5.4billion in cuts by 2029-30. The new plans have faced immense criticism, with the think tank Resolution Foundation saying that only 3% of the hundreds of thousands of people set to lose benefit payments were likely to find a job.

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In a report called "Delivering the Undeliverable", the researchers argue that the causes of the rising welfare costs include the country getting older and sicker and that while ministers are keen on quick financial cuts, truly effective reforms will take time to deliver. However, the DWP says the current system fails to intervene early enough to stop people from becoming unemployed and misses opportunities to support their return.

According to current DWP data, around 2.8million people are considered "economically inactive" because of long-term sickness. This means they are between 16 and 64 years old, not employed, or looking for a job. Work and Secretary Liz Kendall said the "broken" welfare system Labour had inherited was "failing sick and disabled people, is bad for the taxpayer, and holding the economy back".

She said: "For too long, sick, and disabled people have been told they can't work, denied support, and locked out of jobs, with all the benefits that good work brings." Kendall claimed that many sick and disabled people wanted to and could work but "with the right support".

Figures published from a survey for the government suggest 44% of disabled people and those with a health condition in the UK do not trust the DWP to help people reach their full career potential. The same amount also believes that the DWP does not provide enough support to those out of work because of disability, ill health or a long-term health condition. The DWP said the full data from this survey would soon be published, alongside the detailed plans before this year's Spring Forecast.

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