Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help support people with axial spondyloarthritis to (a) remain in employment or (b) return to the workforce.

The Government and NHS England recognise the significant burden of disease associated with axial spondyloarthritis, particularly where diagnosis is delayed. We recognise the work of the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society in promoting early diagnosis and good access to effective treatment. Time from referral to diagnosis is included in the National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit which covers National Health Service rheumatology services in England and Wales, and we have prioritised reducing waiting times for services through the Elective Recovery Programme and the Getting It Right First Time MSK Community Delivery Programme.

We also have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work. Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, joining up health and employment support around the individual through programmes like WorkWell, as well as the mobilisation of eight place-based trailblazers to reduce economic inactivity.