The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has announced a new plan to tackle economic inactivity in the UK and get more than 2 million people back into work. The ‘Get Britain Working White Paper’ will be announced by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall and aims to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, can benefit from the dignity and purpose that work brings. Unemployment rates currently stand at 1.5 million people, with economic inactivity exceeding 9 million and an additional 2.8 million people out of work due to long-term sickness. Labor has promised to increase the employment rate to 80%, equating to around two million more people in work. The plan includes replacing Jobcentres with a new National Jobs and Careers Service.
One of the key strategies outlined in the plan is to improve access to health support, particularly mental health services, to prevent healthy individuals from leaving the workforce. Efforts to tackle obesity and expand mental health support aim to create a healthier workforce. The plan also includes enhancing statutory sick pay to support more people with mental health issues to thrive in the workplace. Additionally, an independent review will be launched to explore ways to better support employers in employing people with disabilities and health conditions.
Another focus of the plan is to improve Jobcentres and transform the current system into a new National Jobs and Careers Service. This new service will prioritize people’s skills and careers rather than just managing benefit claims, with mayors and councils empowered to provide local support. The initiative is backed by £55 million and aims to help people re-enter the workforce. Labor also aims to incentivize flexible working by requiring employers to offer flexible hours from day one, except where not feasible, to provide more options for workers who need flexibility due to various reasons.
The government is also providing additional employment and training opportunities for young people through a new Youth Guarantee that ensures access to education or training for every young person. The Apprenticeship Levy in England is being transformed into a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy to expand opportunities for youth to develop skills and find work. Further reforms will involve overhauling the health and disability benefits system to better support individuals in entering and remaining in the workforce. A consultation will be published in Spring to gather the views of disabled people on policy changes that affect them directly.
The overall goal of the plan is to provide everyone with the opportunity for secure, rewarding, and fulfilling work. Labor’s approach includes various reforms such as improving access to health support, transforming Jobcentres, incentivizing flexible working, and providing more opportunities for young people to develop skills and find work. By addressing economic inactivity and increasing employment rates, the government aims to create a healthier and stronger workforce while reducing the benefits bill. The consultation process and input from disabled individuals will play a crucial role in shaping future policy changes to ensure that everyone has the opportunity for meaningful work.
