IPPR reacts to Labour’s plans to create a new national jobs and careers service

Reacting to Labour’s announcement of their plans to create a new national jobs and careers service and tool up mayors to create local plans to tackle economic inactivity, Rachel Statham, associate director at IPPR, said:

“IPPR has called for some time for the creation of a high-quality, public employment service – for everyone, available any time, that offers local support to meet individual needs, and supports long term progression in secure and good quality work. Today’s announcement signals a major step towards that vision, and an opportunity to align the UK’s industrial strategy and employment support services through greater devolution and dedicated investment.

“The government’s current employment offer, delivered through JobCentre Plus, is failing on its own terms: its focus on any job, instead of the right job, keeps too many people trapped in low paid, insecure work instead of supporting them to progress and build careers that deliver long-term financial security. We also know that economic inactivity is a highly localised challenge, with one in every four people who are economically inactive living in just 50 local authorities, supporting the case for greater devolution to build local solutions.

“A rethink of our employment support offer is long overdue – and joining up health, skills and work support is a common-sense priority for any party serious about building a healthier and more prosperous country.”

ENDS

Rachel Statham is available for interview

CONTACT

Liam Evans, Senior Digital and Media Officer: 07419 365334 l.evans@ippr.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. IPPR first recommended the creation of a public employment service, greater devolution of employment support, and investment in specialist support for disabled people in Working Together: Towards a new public employment service:https://www.ippr.org/articles/working-together
2. IPPR research identified ‘bad health blackspots’ creating a new wave of economic inactivity in Healthy places, prosperous lives, published in January 2024. https://www.ippr.org/media-office/revealed-sickness-epidemic-creating-new-wave-of-economically-inactive-in-bad-health-blackspots
3. IPPR (the Institute for Public Policy Research) is an independent charity working towards a fairer, greener, and more prosperous society. We are researchers, communicators, and policy experts creating tangible progressive change, and turning bold ideas into common sense realities. Working across the UK, IPPR, IPPR North, and IPPR Scotland are deeply connected to the people of our nations and regions, and the issues our communities face. We have helped shape national conversations and progressive policy change for more than 30 years. From making the early case for the minimum wage and tackling regional inequality, to proposing a windfall tax on energy companies, IPPR’s research and policy work has put forward practical solutions for the crises facing society. www.ippr.org