Recommendation 14

HM Government Acknowledged

The UK Government is committed to helping workers progress into higher pay. It will respond to Baroness McGregor-Smith’s recommendations shortly. In the latest Spending Review in October 2021, the UK Government announced that £99m would be allocated to provide around 2.1m low—paid benefit claimants with support to progress into higher—paid work. Through a staged roll-out this year, more people who are in work and on low incomes, will be able to access work coach support to help them to increase their earnings and move into better paid quality jobs. The support will focus on removing barriers to progression and providing career progression advice, such as considering skills gaps, identifying training opportunities, or looking for progression opportunities for the claimant in their current role or in a new role. Jobcentres will be supported in this new role by Progression Champions working in every Jobcentre District. Progression Champions will work with key partners, including local government, employers, and skills providers to identify and develop local progression opportunities. They will also work with partners to address local barriers that limit progression such as childcare and transport.