Ambitious employment support reforms were unveiled today by Work and Pensions secretary, Liz Kendall. The new white paper, titled "Get Britain Working", highlights that:
- The UK is the only major economy with a falling employment rate in the last 5 years.
- Around 1.5 million people are unemployed.
- 9 million people are economically inactive.
- 2.8 million people are out of work with long-term sickness.
- 1 in 8 young people are not in education, employment/training.
- 9 million adults don't have the skills required for gainful employment.
- Skills gaps and regional disparities in employment.
The paper aims to, and is backed by a £240 million investment, tackle the roots causes of these findings and looks to:
- Set a long-term ambition to achieve an 80% employment rate in the UK.
- Get approximately 2 million more people into work.
- Focuses on reducing economic inactivity, which has risen particularly due to long-term illness - blamed on long-standing issues with the NHS.
The issues with the NHS, which are directly impacting employment are planned to be resolved with:
- Scaling up NHS contribution to employment outcomes.
- 40,000 extra elective appointments weekly.
- Expanded access to mental health and musculoskeletal services.
- £125 million for eight place-based trailblazers to reduce economic inactivity
An overview of the plans looks to create a Modern Industrial Strategy and Local Growth Plans to create good jobs. Improving work quality/security through the "Plan to Make Work Pay", and implementing major reforms to employment support services.
Young people are to be offered support with a new "Youth Guarantee" for 18-21 year olds. Guaranteed education/training places for 16-17 year olds. Transformation of the Apprenticeship Levy into a Growth and Skills Levy, and an investment of £45 million for youth guarantee trailblazers.
Employment Services are to be reformed by:
- Transforming the Jobcentre Plus services into a new universal jobs and careers service.
- Giving more personalised support approach.
- Having better integration with skills and careers advice.
- Allocating £55 million for digital prototypes and service trials.
Work Benefits are to be reformed in to a health and disability benefits system, with a green paper coming in spring next year, with a focus on enabling work rather than just assessing inability to work.