DWP announces major crackdown with big changes coming
by Fionnula Hainey, Christopher McKeon and Sam Russell PA · ChronicleLiveThe Department for Work and Pensions is set to undergo significant reforms, including a major overhaul of jobcentres across the UK, as part of the government's efforts to reduce the benefits bill.
Regions with the highest rates of unemployment will receive additional support from the NHS as part of the government's plan to "get Britain working again", announced on Tuesday.
The Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, unveiled the strategy, which includes the publication of a new White Paper, aimed at reducing economic inactivity and fulfilling the government's pledge to help over two million people back into work.
Ms Kendall said: "To get Britain growing, we need to get Britain working again. Our reforms will break down barriers to opportunity, help people to get into work and on at work, allow local leaders to boost jobs and growth, and give our children and young people the best opportunities to get on in life."
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"The Get Britain Working White Paper shows that this Government stands unashamedly for work. We will make sure everyone, regardless of their background, age, ethnicity, health, disability or postcode can benefit from the dignity and purpose work can bring.", reports the Manchester Evening News.
While the number of unemployed people remains around 1.5 million, there has been a significant increase in economic inactivity, with more than nine million people not working, and 2.8 million of those not in employment due to long-term sickness - a major driver of the increase in joblessness since the pandemic. During a Tuesday morning interview with Times Radio, Employment Minister Alison McGovern expressed disappointment over the UK's post-pandemic employment recovery, stating: "didn't happen in Britain".
She told the station: "If you look at those international statistics, what you see is that post-pandemic almost all of the countries around the world except us recovered in employment terms. The employment rate did increase, people did go back to work."
"That didn't happen in Britain, something is different, and the level of sickness that we're experiencing as a country is really high."
In the run-up to the general election, Labour had committed to boosting the employment rate to 80% from the existing 75%, which would mean nearly two million additional people in work.
Ms Kendall has outlined a plan that includes increasing capacity within healthcare services, especially for the 20 NHS trusts most affected by economic inactivity, by enhancing mental health support and introducing initiatives to combat obesity.
Mayors in regions currently excluded from funding for pilot projects will be offered a £15 million incentive to create local strategies aimed at re-engaging their communities with the workforce.
The government's strategy also encompasses a health improvement drive, alongside a transformative approach to job centres, which are set to be replaced by a new National Jobs and Careers Service. This revamped service, backed by a £55 million fund, intends to prioritise helping individuals return to work rather than solely managing benefits.
The government has announced that the new service will not only assist individuals in securing employment but also support them in maintaining their positions and obtaining necessary training for career advancement. Job centre personnel are set to shift away from a procedural "tick box" approach towards delivering a more tailored experience for those seeking work, while experimental digital platforms are being introduced to streamline their workload.
The suite of policies further includes enhanced job and training prospects for the youth. Every individual aged between 18 and 21 in England will be entitled to an apprenticeship, educational opportunities, or assistance in job hunting through the newly established "youth guarantee".
Esteemed organisations such as the Premier League, Channel 4, and the Royal Shakespeare Company have pledged their commitment to this initiative.
Moreover, an independent inquiry is slated to commence, examining the role employers can play in staving off employee illness. The review will explore avenues for increased recruitment and retention of disabled individuals and those with chronic health conditions, drawing insights from trade unions, commercial entities, and healthcare professionals.
When quizzed by Times Radio on Tuesday morning about the anticipated financial benefits from proposed welfare reductions, Employment Minister Ms McGovern declined to hypothesise. She said she was "not going to put a figure on it".
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer criticised the current state of affairs, remarking: "From the broken NHS, flatlining economy, and the millions of people left unemployed and trapped in an inactivity spiral this Government inherited a country that simply isn't working."
"But today we've set out a plan to fix this. A plan that tackles the biggest drivers of unemployment and inactivity and gives young people their future back through real, meaningful change instead of empty rhetoric and sticking plaster politics."
He further explained that the government's reforms are poised to "put an end to the culture of blaming and shaming people who for too long haven't been getting the support they need to get back to work" ensuring individuals are guided towards "decent, well-paid jobs".
In addition to the reforms, Ms Kendall emphasized the expectation from the government that those capable of working should seize such opportunities. During a trip to Peterborough when addressing media, she drew on past Labour policies stating: "We said there was no option of a life on benefits, and that principle remains the same today."
The proposals have been met with approval from the Chartered Institute for Personal Development, with CEO Peter Cheese describing the steps as "a step in the right direction". Despite his endorsement, Cheese advocated for "more ambition" in order "to make apprenticeships a viable alternative to university".
From the sector supporting disabled people, the charity Scope also reacted positively to the plans, considering it "a positive vision for supporting disabled people into work". Nevertheless, they cautioned that a persistent "lack of trust" in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could significantly impede the effectiveness of the outlined strategy.
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