Work and Pensions Select Committee report back – making the case for employability and support for the economically inactive

Being in Houses of Parliament on the day that President Zelensky speaks puts a lot of things into perspective. But it was good to be at the DWP Select Committee to be part of the employability sector representatives who were giving evidence on employability programmes and the Plan for Jobs

The first session looked at broadly at the performance of current contracts and what would make provision better.

#ERSA Director, Elizabeth Taylor was passionate and eloquent about the work that has been done, and could be lost, with the fact that ESF is ending and UKSPF won’t be available for a year. She spoke about the need for programmes that were available to all and how the sector was well placed to support the economically inactive as they had the specialist knowledge and were located throughout the country. Some of the other highlights for me were Richard Clifton from #Shaw Trust making a compelling case case for local specialist provision and a national return to work programme. He also spoke about the need to provide childcare and flexible working to ensure that people were able to take up the jobs available. Rhodri Thomas from #Reed spoke about the way national programmes are performing better, and advocated for the retention of smaller case loads. He was also able to show that employability organisations can deliver to people who have complex health and social care needs. Fiona Monahan from #Ingeus made the essential case for a flexible approach to client need and the importance of looking at what works.

At the second session, we were three smaller providers and we looked at how to engage participants, the need for specialist services and the way that local and specialist organisations have a particular role in the sector. It was wonderful to hear Rosie Ginday MBE from #MissMacaroon speak about her inspiring social enterprise that supports young people with complex needs move into work and her perspective on how support can be provided in partnership with employers.

Graham Parry from Groundwork who really knows about local provision was able to give an in depth analysis into the way local organisations build a network of support around individuals and how in the community, organisations like food banks are vital in signposting. He also made a strong point that we have known ESF has been ending for a long time.

I spoke about importance of recognising engagement, the need for longer programmes, and specialist support. I also made the point that at the same time government is reaching out to people further from the labour market, the programmes that did just that were ending.

The committee will consider our points as part of their report, which will then go to the government for a response. You can see the whole session on line https://lnkd.in/dHiHhvUV