MEZIESBLOG

Jobcentre reform will be at the centre of the Labour government’s plans to “get Britain working again”.

Tackling the increasing number of people out of work and relying on the state for income has become a major priority of the state, with welfare costs taking up a sizeable portion of government spending.

According to the government, more than nine million people are economically inactive, with 2.8 million on long-term sickness – a number which has risen significantly since the pandemic.

The government will today be publishing its plans to get more people into employment in the form of the Get Britain Working white paper.

Ministers say their main aim is “to target and tackle the root causes of unemployment and inactivity, and better join up health skills and employment support based on the unique needs of local communities”.

Ill health is noted as the “biggest driver to inactivity”, and “fixing the NHS” is identified as a key task to get people back into work.

The government says it will in future announce measures to “overhaul the health and disability benefits system so it better supports people to enter and remain in work and to tackle the spiralling benefits bill”.

Liz Kendall, the secretary of state for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), said: “To get Britain growing, we need to get Britain working again.

“Our reforms will break down barriers to opportunity, help people to get into work and on at work, allow local leaders to boost jobs and growth, and give our children and young people the best opportunities to get on in life.”