Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 38
38
Acknowledged
Plan for Jobs initiatives fail to reverse increased economic inactivity among vulnerable groups.
Conclusion
The Government’s Plan for Jobs and DWP’s response to the pandemic introduced a number of measures to support the recovery of the labour market and help people return to work. Although these initiatives have shown some success at helping people re-enter the labour market, they have not been able to reverse the significant increase in economic inactivity, particularly among young people, older people and people with disabilities or long-term health conditions. In this Report we have looked at how successful the Plan for Jobs and DWP’s other employment support programmes have been at supporting people into work; we have proposed a number of measures to help combat economic inactivity among those groups experiencing higher levels of worklessness; and we have made recommendations about how DWP should aim to transform its approach to support. (Paragraph 244) Plan for Jobs and employment support 87
Government Response Summary
The government thanks the Committee, affirms the success of the Plan for Jobs, and highlights a comprehensive package of cross-government measures announced in Spring Budget 2023 aimed at increasing workforce participation and reducing economic inactivity among identified groups.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government thanks the Committee for the report and inquiry on Plan for Jobs and employment support. The Plan for Jobs successfully supported people throughout the pandemic and our comprehensive employment support continues to help people start, stay and succeed in work. The Government welcomes the report’s focus on economic inactivity. The UK labour market remains robust and resilient, however it also remains tight. This is why at Spring Budget 2023 we announced a comprehensive package of cross-government measures targeted at increasing workforce participation and reducing economic inactivity. This includes investment to support disabled people and those with long-term health conditions, parents, over 50s, unemployed people and people on Universal Credit and working fewer than full-time hours.