The new Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, has confirmed the Government’s commitments to its manifesto Back to Work Plan arguing that it is critical to plans to secure sustained economic growth.
With 9.4 million people economically inactive, a record 2.8 million people out of work due to long-term sickness and 900,000 young people (one in eight) not in education, employment or training, she said rising levels of economic inactivity are unacceptable and that immediate action must be taken.
Speaking during a visit to Leeds, the Work and Pensions Secretary confirmed the three pillars of the Government’s Back to Work Plan: a new national jobs and career service to help get more people into work, and on in their work; new work, health and skills plans for the economically inactive, led by Mayors and local areas; and a youth guarantee for all young people aged 18–21.
Under a plan set out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service will be merged to get more people into work and to support those seeking better opportunities with the means to find better paid work.
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More disabled people and those with health conditions will be supported to enter and stay in work; by devolving more power to local areas so they can shape an integrated work, health and skills offer that suits the needs of the people they serve.
Noting that the UK is the only G7 country with employment not back to pre-pandemic levels, Ms Kendall concluded: “We’ll create more good jobs, make work pay, transform skills and overhaul jobcentres, alongside action to tackle the root causes of worklessness including poor physical and mental health.”
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