A Scotland-wide Jobcentre Plus campaign has been launched to show people receiving incapacity benefit how they can improve their quality of life by returning to work.

TV adverts, which will run for four weeks from 27 August, will include stories of people whose lives have been transformed by getting back to work.

The campaign supports the Department of Work & Pension’s Green Paper ’In work, Better off’ published on 18 July which announced a package of welfare reforms, including helping more people move off benefits and into work. The reforms have the aim of helping government meet its goals of an 80% employment rate and eradicating child poverty.

Kevin Doran, customer service director for Jobcentre Plus in Scotland, says: “Most people on incapacity benefit tell us they want to work, and research has confirmed that work is good for you. Work increases self-esteem, provides a means of social contact and improves general health.

“Our specialist personal advisers, working in partnership with a wide range of training organisations and healthcare professionals, can provide advice to anyone who has a mild or moderate condition on how they too can return to the world of work.”