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<p>We have promoted Access to Work via the Disability Confident scheme, and will continue
to do so. Disability Confident gives employers the tools and information they need
to think differently about disability and to take action to recruit, retain and develop
disabled workers.</p><p> </p><p>After the election period we intend to undertake further
marketing and promotion of the Access to Work programme. This includes working with
stakeholders and partners and employer associations to raise awareness through communications
to their customers and ensuring advisers who work with potential customers, including
Jobcentre Plus, health professionals and advisory groups, have the information and
tools to act as advocates.</p><p> </p><p>This includes work with organisations which
support or have an interest in people with musculoskeletal conditions, such as the
Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, the British Association of Occupational Therapists,
a number of Arthritis support organisations, health professionals, advisory groups
and various employer associations.</p><p> </p><p>The standards set in the national
Workplace Wellbeing Charter include many elements which support the reduction of musculoskeletal
disorders (MSDs), such as increasing physical activity and weight reduction. However,
there is no MSD specific standard.</p><p> </p><p>Local accreditation schemes, such
as the Better Work Award, can enhance the national standards by adding a local MSD
component if appropriate, based on local population needs.</p><p> </p><p>In March
2017, Public Health England, Business in the Community and The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal
Alliance published a musculoskeletal toolkit for employers to address MSD issues at
work. The toolkit builds on the existing best practice and considers the transferable
learning between business sectors and businesses of different sizes. The toolkit has
been downloaded over 1000 times since publication.</p><p> </p><p>In our November 2016
Green Paper, the Government set out further proposals to support individuals with
musculoskeletal conditions to find or to stay in work. The subsequent consultation
drew considerable input from sufferers of musculoskeletal conditions (including arthritic
conditions) and their representative groups. The consultation closed on 17<sup>th</sup>
February 2017 and we are now carefully considering the submissions we received as
we develop our policy options.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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