On November 26th, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall introduced the “Get Britain Working” White Paper, an ambitious plan designed to overhaul employment support across the UK. Backed by a £240 million investment, the initiative is aimed at reaching an 80% employment rate, improving health outcomes, and modernizing job centres across the country.
This reform marks the most comprehensive transformation of employment support in a generation, aiming to create a fairer, more efficient system to help people secure meaningful jobs. Below are the main aspects of this pivotal reform:
Table of Contents
- Key Elements of the White Paper
- Challenges in the UK Employment Market
- Key Investments and Allocations
- Overview of Key Reforms
- Perspectives from Key Stakeholders
Key Elements of the White Paper
- Modernizing Jobcentres: The outdated job centre system will be replaced with the National Jobs and Careers Service, which will focus on skill development and career growth. The new service will leverage advanced digital tools to enhance accessibility and provide personalized career guidance, helping people align their skills with employment opportunities.
- Youth Guarantee: All young people aged 18 to 21 will have guaranteed access to apprenticeships, education, and training programs to help them secure meaningful employment. This initiative will work to prevent long-term youth unemployment by offering clear pathways to career development, skill-building programs, and mentorship opportunities.
- Mental Health and NHS Improvements: Significant investments will be made in mental health support to reduce waiting times for services and address economic inactivity linked to health conditions. The White Paper outlines plans to increase the number of mental health professionals to ensure individuals receive the necessary support for a successful return to work. The government aims to integrate healthcare and employment services for a holistic approach to well-being.
- Local Leadership Empowerment: Local councils and mayors will be given more authority to tailor employment, health, and skills programs to meet the specific needs of their communities. This will allow for a more region-specific approach to tackling unemployment and skills gaps.
Challenges in the UK Employment Market
The UK is currently facing a decline in its employment rate, making it the only major economy to experience such a drop in recent years. Over 1.4 million people are unemployed, with 9 million people economically inactive, including a record 2.8 million out of work due to long-term health issues. Young people are particularly affected, with 1 in 8 neither in education, employment, nor training.
Several factors have contributed to this decline, including rising long-term health conditions, a lack of appropriate job opportunities, and an outdated employment support infrastructure. The White Paper outlines targeted solutions to tackle these issues and create a more adaptable and skilled workforce.
Key Investments and Allocations
| Initiative | Investment Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|
| NHS Resource Spending | £22.6 billion | Reducing waiting lists and improving health services to support employment. |
| Youth Training & Opportunities | £40 million | Establishing a flexible Growth and Skills Levy to support youth employment. |
| Mental Health Staff Expansion | £125 million | Funding for 8,500 new mental health professionals by 2028. |
| Local Employment Support | £15 million | Providing local areas with the resources to develop tailored employment plans. |
The funding is directed towards addressing key challenges, such as mental health and skills training, creating an integrated support system to help individuals overcome barriers to employment.
Overview of Key Reforms
- Fixing the NHS: The government is increasing NHS resources to reduce economic inactivity caused by long-term illness. By expanding mental health services and reducing waiting lists, the government aims to ensure that health conditions no longer prevent individuals from entering the workforce.
- Transforming Jobcentres: The reform will shift the focus of Jobcentres from simply managing benefits to offering dynamic career support. This will include the use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies to provide tailored career advice and training programs aligned with market needs.
- Youth Guarantee: A new initiative to guarantee young people access to education, training, and work opportunities. This is designed to reduce youth unemployment by providing hands-on learning and equipping young individuals with in-demand skills, particularly in digital and technical fields.
- Empowering Local Communities: The government will provide funding and authority to local leaders to create bespoke employment, health, and skills programs. This localized approach will ensure that services are tailored to the specific needs of communities, encouraging collaboration between local authorities, healthcare providers, and employers.
- Inclusive Employment: An independent review will be conducted to improve support for disabled workers and those with health conditions. This review will explore innovative strategies to make workplaces more inclusive, such as offering flexible work arrangements and incentivizing employers to hire people with disabilities.
Perspectives from Key Stakeholders
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of giving young people meaningful opportunities: “We’re giving young people the skills they need for the jobs of the future. This is about real opportunities, not just words.”
- Secretary of State Liz Kendall highlighted the transformative nature of the reforms: “We stand unashamedly for work. Our reforms break down barriers, create jobs, and improve living standards. We want every person, regardless of background, to have the chance to succeed.”
- Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham expressed his support for the local empowerment aspect: “The new approach joins up services in places where people live, offering personalized support that grows confidence. This is a bold step towards empowering our local communities and ensuring no one is left behind.”
The “Get Britain Working” White Paper represents a critical step towards reshaping the UK’s employment support system. By focusing on health, youth employment, and local leadership, the government aims to address long-standing issues of unemployment and inactivity, creating a stronger and more resilient workforce for the future.
