Ryan FowlerThe Work and Pensions Committee has launched an inquiry into the future of Jobcentre Plus, following proposals in the Government’s Get Britain Working white paper, published on 26th November 2024. The reforms aim to help the Government achieve an ambitious 80% employment rate by transforming the role of Jobcentres and merging the National Careers Service with Jobcentre Plus.
The inquiry will scrutinise how Jobcentres can better support individuals into work, focusing on areas such as training, skills development, and personalised employment support. Currently, Jobcentres serve as a dual gateway for benefits and employment opportunities, but the white paper criticised the service for being overly centralised and focused on “box ticking” around benefit claims. Instead, the Government plans to prioritise personalised support and career guidance, with further details expected later this year.
Committee Chair Debbie Abrahams highlighted the importance of getting these reforms right: “We know that good work has many benefits to individuals and their families, but also to the local economy and for wider economic growth. In contrast, for someone of working age not in work, whether that’s through unemployment or economic inactivity, there are long-term negative impacts on health and wellbeing.”
Abrahams added: “The Committee wants to examine the future role Jobcentres can play in, for example, supporting training, skills development, and career planning, in the context of their current priority of overseeing benefits. With the employment rate at 74.8% and economic inactivity at 21.6%, there is no hiding from the challenge of ensuring people have the skills they need to access and progress in work, including the jobs of the future.”
The inquiry will also explore how Jobcentres work with external organisations, including schools, further education providers, and employers, to expand opportunities for claimants. It will assess how the planned merger with the National Careers Service can support career progression and anticipate future skills gaps.
The Committee is inviting evidence submissions addressing questions around the purpose of Jobcentres, customer experiences, partnerships with external organisations, and the development of a new jobs and careers service. Submissions can be sent to [email protected] by 23:59 on Monday 3rd March 2025.
The findings from this inquiry will form part of a broader workstream to provide the Government with best practices and recommendations for implementing effective and fair reforms that can gain cross-party support and ensure long-term stability.
