William Eichler 19 July 2023

MPs call for devolution of employment support

MPs call for devolution of employment support  image
Image: Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com.

The delivery of support aimed at helping people into employment should be devolved to groups of local authorities, MPs have said.

A new report from the Work and Pensions Committee has called for calls for more employment support to help address economic inactivity.

It said there should be more focus on measures to help young people, the over 50s and people with disabilities and long-term health conditions find and stay in work.

Among its recommendations, the committee proposed devolving support to groups of local authorities.

This would mean that the delivery of employment support benefits from local knowledge and expertise. It would also mean that help is better tailored to the individual and will meet local vacancy needs.

Responding to the report, Cllr Kevin Bentley, chairman of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) People and Places Board, said: ‘As this report recognises, each area has its own unique labour market including a mix of jobs, qualification levels, unemployment and vacancies, therefore it makes sense to devolve responsibilities for addressing these to local authorities.

‘We need to move away from a top-down, centralised approach. Given the right powers and resources over employment and skills funding for every place, councils could build on their track record of helping to get people back into work – including those who are furthest from the jobs market – and plugging growing skills gaps.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Executive Director – Adult Social Care, Health & Wellbeing

Sefton Borough Council
£131,208 (Hay 1)
Lead with Purpose. Build on Excellence. Shape the Future of Health and Wellbeing in Sefton. Sefton (Metropolitan borough), Merseyside
Recuriter: Sefton Borough Council

Strategic Finance Business Partners (five roles)

Nottingham City Council
up to £80k
Nottingham is a bold, vibrant, and exciting Core City at the heart of the UK, alive with potential and ambition. Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Nottingham City Council

Director of Finance (Strategy) – deputy S151

Nottingham City Council
up to £125k
Nottingham is a bold, vibrant, and exciting Core City at the heart of the UK, alive with potential and ambition. Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Nottingham City Council

Customer Specialist

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum
Customer SpecialistPermanent, Part Time£25,081 pro rataLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Customer Specialist

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum
Customer SpecialistPermanent, Part Time£25,081 to £27,653 pro rataLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner