Recommendation 4

Responsibility for responding to changes in the world of work does not sit with one department. DWP told us that it works with other government departments to help fill roles in sectors where there is growing demand: for example, with DHSC on filling vacancies in social care, or with BEIS on jobs in the green economy. We want the Department to be proactive in planning ahead. On top of this work, DWP should take a more strategic approach to engaging with other departments—for example DCMS, as the department responsible for digital, and BEIS—to identify sectors which may face increased demand in the future. We also urge the Department to work closely with MHCLG and other Departments on the Levelling Up programme, including on projects like the Towns Fund and Levelling Up Fund, to ensure that areas most exposed to loss of jobs from automation are prioritised for investment in skills and new jobs.