Zarah ChoudharyWork and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has published the Get Britain Working White Paper, marking the Government’s first major intervention to achieve an ambitious 80% employment rate target.
The White Paper outlined reforms to employment support, backed by a £240m investment.
It introduced plans to transform Job Centres across Great Britain, providing young people with access to apprenticeships, training, and educational opportunities.
The reforms would also expand mental health support, with additional capacity directed to areas with the highest levels of inactivity to reduce waiting lists.
This followed figures showing that almost 1.5 million people are unemployed, more than nine million people are inactive, and a record 2.8 million people are out of work due to long-term sickness.
One in eight young people were found to be not in education, employment or training, and nine million adults lack the essential skills they need to get on in work.
Under the initiatives outlined in the white paper, mayors and councils will be empowered to join up local work, health and skills support in ways that meet the specific needs of their local areas.
The Government will launch a ‘Youth Guarantee’, increasing access to education or training, and change the Apprenticeship Levy in England into a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy, backed by £40m.
An independent review will also be launched into how employers can be better supported to employ people with disabilities and health conditions, and to keep them in the workplace.
The Government will also bring forward measures to overhaul the health and disability benefits system.
A consultation will be published in Spring as part of a commitment to put the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of policy changes.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “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.
“We’re overhauling jobcentres to make them fit for the modern age. We’re giving young people the skills and opportunities they need to prepare them for the jobs of the future.
“We’re fixing the NHS so people get the treatment and mental health support they desperately need to be able to get back to work.
“We’re working with businesses and employers to better support people with disabilities and health conditions to stay and progress in work, and it doesn’t stop there.
“Our reforms 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.
“Helping people into decent, well-paid jobs and giving our children and young people the best start in life – that’s our plan to put more money in people’s pockets, unlock growth and make people better off.”
Secretary of State Liz Kendall MP 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.
“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.
“We can build a healthier, wealthier nation – driving up employment and opportunity, skills and productivity – while driving down the benefit bill.”
Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said:
“Breaking down barriers to opportunity is the key to our plan to Get Britain Working.
“Our radical overhaul of Jobcentres will bring improvements to every part of the UK, creating a service more fit for modern life, helping people into decent, well-paid jobs.
“A joined-up approach to tackling inactivity is crucial, and we want to work with the Scottish Government to ensure all services are considered – including better healthcare, improved childcare, and access to meaningful skills training.
“Our Employment Rights Bill has brought some of the biggest improvements for workers in a generation with an end to zero-hours contracts and increased job security.
“And our Tobacco and Vapes Bill, also introduced today, will curb many of the health issues affecting work connected with smoking.
“Together we can Get Britain Working and on the path to prosperity and growth.”
Reaction:
Adele Ablett, who has worked at the DWP for 38 years and now manages five Job Centres and 71 Work Coaches across Cheshire:
“It’s a real privilege to support people at vulnerable times in their lives and help them find the right pathway for them – whether that be through training or work.
“With more customers coming through our doors with complex health needs and mental health challenges, the demand on our service has never been greater.
“The changes in the Get Britain Working White Paper will help us to amplify this support to reach more people and change more lives.
“It will give us more flexibility to build strong relationships with employers and organisations, so everyone sees us the way I do – as the go-to place for businesses to recruit and as a public service passionate about people and possibilities.”
Clare Sumner, chief policy and social impact officer at Premier League, said: “Building on our long-term investment into communities, the Premier League will contribute to the Youth Guarantee by using the power of football to engage young people who need the greatest support.
“Our programmes delivered by football clubs across the country play a vital role in providing inspiring opportunities and pathways to success to help the next generation fulfil their potential.
“We will be working with the Government to continue this important work and help extend the reach of the Youth Guarantee initiative into communities and to those who need it most.”
Secretary of State Lisa Nandy said: “We’re committed to a bold new approach to shaping policy that values the aspirations and experiences of young people to give them every chance of success in life.
“The introduction of a Youth Guarantee, along with the co-production of a new National Youth Strategy, will help put young people back in charge of their own destiny and unlock opportunities for all young people, regardless of their postcode.”
Darren Burns, director of diversity and inclusion at Timpson Group said: “At Timpson we support the plan to get more people back into work, by helping them to find exciting and rewarding careers.
“Many of our existing colleagues have come to us through the Job Centre and this is still the case today.
“We regularly work in close partnership with local job centres to find amazing colleagues for our business and the support we receive is invaluable.”
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester:
“It’s great to see the Government get serious about transforming the old tick-box approach to job support into one that tackles the root causes of unemployment and poor health and sets people up to succeed.
“The best way to do that is to join up services in the places where people live, and offer them the kind of positive, personalised support that grows confidence and looks at complex issues in the round.
“The Secretary of State has seen for herself the difference that our Live Well approach is already making in Greater Manchester, where our brilliant community partners are building trust and helping break down barriers to work and wellbeing.
“Through our new trailblazer, and with Government backing, we can build on these strong foundations and help more people find the sense of purpose that comes with good work.
“That is how we will help everyone to achieve their potential, ease pressure on our public services, and deliver growth in our city-region and across the country.”
Oliver Coppard, mayor of South Yorkshire:
“In South Yorkshire, work, health and skills barriers have prevented people here making the most of their talents for far too long.
“That’s why we’re determined to address those barriers through our pioneering Pathways to Work Commission.
“The Commission’s report set out recommendations that could unlock the full potential of our communities and I’m really pleased that the Government has backed our pioneering approach.
“In South Yorkshire we have led the way in highlighting the importance of bringing work, health and skills together as we support people back into employment.
“We now have a Government that understands the importance of devolution and joined-up working, and together we are undertaking the biggest reforms to how we support people into work for a generation.
“Our trailblazer will help us to create a bigger and better economy in South Yorkshire that helps people to stay near and go far.”
Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region:
“Devolution is already making a huge difference to people’s lives in the Liverpool City Region.
“We’ve helped thousands of people into work, created opportunities for young people through apprenticeships, and supported adults to gain the skills they need to thrive.
“This shows what can be achieved when decisions are made closer to the people they affect.
“That’s why I welcome the government’s plans to give Mayors more of the tools and resources we need to break down the barriers keeping people out of work.
“Whether it’s tackling skills shortages, improving childcare, or supporting people with health conditions, this is a chance to make a real difference.
“I look forward to working with the government to make these bold ambitions a reality for the people in our communities.”
Stephen Evans, chief executive of Learning and Work Institute:
“The Government’s ambition for an 80% employment rate is the right one and our research shows it will benefit people, employers and the economy.
“More than three million people who are out of work want a job, but too often don’t get the right support.
“This White Paper starts us on the path to change that. I’m particularly pleased to see the Youth Guarantee, which we have long called for.
“There can be few bigger priorities than ensuring young people get the education and careers they need.
“To tackle the shockingly wide disability employment rate gap and opportunity gaps across the country, we need high-quality, joined-up, locally delivered work, skills and health support.
“It will take time, but the prize is great.
“The White Paper is part of wider Government action to spread opportunity and fix the foundations of our economy.
“This includes launching Skills England to create a shared national plan to boost the nation’s skills, creating more good jobs through our modern Industrial Strategy, and strengthening employment rights through our Plan to Make Work Pay.”
