Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Rejected
Any job' approach has alienated employers and undermined Jobcentre engagement efforts.
Conclusion
The ‘any job’ approach has not just been detrimental to claimants: it has also led employers to stop engaging with Jobcentres. Employers will use Jobcentres if it helps them find good employees, but their experience of Jobcentre candidates is often of people forced to apply just to meet benefit conditions. Efforts by DWP to engage with employers risk being undermined until Jobcentres stop pushing people into any job and start focussing on good, sustainable work. (Conclusion, Paragraph 106)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government rejects the conclusion that the 'any job' approach is detrimental, explaining the 'permitted period' policy for job search. While noting a shift away from 'any job' ethos in new services, they do not accept the recommendation at this time but will keep the policy under review.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government · verbatim extract
Rejected
Partially accept We appreciate the emphasis on strengthening engagement with local employers and fully support the intent behind this recommendation. We agree that employer engagement is a critical lever for improving outcomes and recognise the value of encouraging proactive local approaches. As part of the creation of a Jobs and Careers Service, we have launched the Employer Strategy, which seeks to provide a better, more consistent commitment to employers. We are currently working through what metrics would drive the right employer engagement activity at a local JCP level, to ensure quality relationships which generate outcomes for both employers and customers. The Pathfinder in Wakefield is also trialling the role of a Recruitment Consultant, to understand whether a role of this type can add value in a local setting. However, we believe that setting uniform targets may not fully reflect the diversity of local labour market conditions and employer landscapes. Instead, our focus is on enabling quality, context-sensitive engagement that is responsive to local needs and opportunities. This approach allows teams to build meaningful relationships with employers that lead to sustainable and impactful outcomes. We remain committed to working collaboratively to share best practices and support continuous improvement in employer engagement across all areas.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗