The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed plans to further develop and enhance the government’s digital mid-life MOT offering, looking to target people aged 45-55 across three new workstreams.

Guy Opperman highlighted the work as part of wider plans to create a new offer for older people to ensure they receive the support they need to return or remain in work, as announced in the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021

In particular, Opperman confirmed that the DWP will work in partnership with the Money and Pensions Service (Maps) to deliver an online digital mid-life MOT over the course of the spending review period, which will be match funded by both organisations.

He explained that mid-life MOTs will also be delivered through the UK network of Job Centre Plus offices from the summer, which will utilise the network of '50 Plus Champions' to help older jobseekers address common challenges around health, skills and finance.

In addition to this, the DWP has launched a market engagement exercise to identify providers for a holistic, face-to-face mid-life MOT programme delivered through employers in three pilot areas: the North East of England, Cornwall & Devon, and East Anglia.

This builds on the DWP's previous work around the mid-life MOT, having previously secured more than £5m to develop and deliver more extensive pilots, following success in the private sector and the 10 local enterprise partnership small pilots in 2021.

Indeed, Opperman stressed that the DWP has been committed to growing the mid-life MOT since its introduction in 2019, arguing that the mid-life MOT "will improve participants’ wealth, work and wellbeing".

Opperman stated: "The mid-life MOT is a policy intervention designed to assist participants’ wealth, work and wellbeing. It provides access to tailored information to allow older people to return to or remain in work.

"Through the face-to-face programme the mid-Life MOT will provide a holistic assessment of an individual’s health, by making sure they are able to access the necessary services, skills, by helping older people access upskilling and retraining opportunities, and finance, by empowering individuals to take control of their retirement planning.

"These new measures are part of DWP’s £22m package to help over-50s find new careers and earn more money, including by boosting time with work coaches and bringing in specialist support."

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