The government has issued a response to the report from the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee, released in July 2023. This report included several suggestions designed to assist employers in hiring young individuals, those over 50, and individuals with disabilities or long-term health issues.
The report recommended that the government aid individuals who are economically inactive to transition into employment. It advocated for a merging of mental health and job assistance services, particularly for young individuals whose mental health has been adversely impacted by the pandemic. The report also recommended improved funding, assessment and availability of Youth Hubs as a significant progression in job support for young people.
Although the government has responded positively to the Committee’s recommendation for trialling a more individual-focused support model, similar to the US Jobs Plus programme, key suggestions regarding establishing a new self-employment support scheme and delegating support to local authorities have been declined.
The proposal that the DWP should disclose outcomes for each of its employment initiatives every quarter has also been dismissed. The Committee’s suggestion that eligibility for support programmes should be expanded to include those not receiving benefits is still under review.
Instead of accepting the proposal to develop a hiring guide aimed at pushing employers to create flexible working opportunities, the government points to existing initiatives, such as the “Happy to Talk Flexible Working” strapline that employers are being encouraged to use.
In response to the suggestions made on occupational health, the government referred to two consultations from October 2023. The feedback from these consultations will guide policy suggestions aimed at enhancing access to occupational health services and bettering employee health within the workplace.
In relation to disability, the Committee suggested that the requirement for employers at level 3 of the government’s Disability Confident scheme to publish the percentage of disabled individuals they employ be extended to those employers at level 2 of the scheme. Level 3 employers are those externally validated as Disability Confident Leaders while those at level 2, Disability Confident Employers, are self-assessed. The government will take this suggestion into account when the results from the consultation on disability workforce reporting are released.
Although the government acknowledges the significant contributions that older employees can make in the workforce, and intends to promote the development of age-inclusive policies among employers, it is not planning to create any age-specific programmes for employers to motivate older workers to return to the workplace. The Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee has noted that it will persevere by continuing to urge the government to ensure that the support provided is efficient. Providing effective assistance to individuals, who have difficulty securing and maintaining employment, benefits not only the individuals themselves but also employers and the broader economy.
