Hitchin MP welcomes nearly £20m of funding to support 5000 disabled people into work

PRESS RELEASE FROM ALISTAIR STRATHERN MP

MONDAY 23rd JUNE 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alistair Strathern, the MP for the Hitchin constituency, has welcomed £19.7m of Government funding to support up to 5050 disabled people across Hertfordshire into work.

The £19.7m local fund has been signed with Hertfordshire County Council as one of the first participants in the national Connect to Work programme. The programme aims to support disabled people into, and to stay in, work across England and Wales. It connects individuals to local job, skills and health support.

The programme will run for 5 years, with the council set to open in July their local programme to support disabled people, people with health conditions and those with complex barriers to work. Nationally, it is expected to support 100,000 over next year.

The fund is an important part of the Government’s strategy to ensure everyone who is able to be in work has the support they need to do so.

Alistair Strathern MP said:

“This investment is fantastic news for so many households right across our towns and villages. Far too often people with disabilities who would like to work are denied the ability to showcase their skills and talents because of a lack of support. This isn’t something I’m willing to tolerate as our MP, and this fund is an important tool in putting that right.

“I’m delighted that as a result of the Government’s investment, over five thousand more people with disabilities across Hertfordshire will be able to access support to work.

“I will be supporting Hertfordshire County Council to use this money as effectively as possible, to support disabled people right across our area.”