Welfare to Work Support must Serve those Furthest from Labour Market
WELFARE TO WORK SUPPORT MUST SERVE THOSE FURTHEST FROM LABOUR MARKET
ERSA (the Employment Related Services Association) today welcomed assurances by James Purnell, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, that those furthest from the labour market should receive the support they need to seek work, despite challenging labour market conditions.
The economic downturn will reduce the number of vacancies and people who take on some new jobs may find that they do not last. But those furthest from the labour market, such as the long term unemployed, lone parents and people with disabilities, should be given the support they need to compete for the jobs available.
Clearly, vulnerable people should not be penalised or made to feel a failure if they do not gain employment because of job shortages, and the welfare system must operate in practice to fulfill Government commitments that this will not happen. But equally, their needs should not be parked until the economy picks up.
Amanda McIntyre, Director of ERSA, said:
“Work transforms people’s lives for the better, especially for those who overcome complex personal barriers to find and keep a job. The specialist support from innovative private and voluntary sector providers is invaluable for those who are furthest from the labour market. It not only helps them to compete for jobs, with impressive results, but also transforms their quality of life, by helping them to believe in themselves, recognise their strengths and develop life skills.”
It is true that specialist help has a higher price tag than the more basic back-to-work support provided at the job centre or even than the support that will be given to most clients under the forthcoming flexible New Deal provision. However, Amanda McIntyre said:
“We encourage the Government to make sure there is a balance of welfare-to-work support, to help those recently unemployed and those furthest from the labour market. Although intensive support for people with complex needs is more costly to provide, it represents excellent value for money overall, once you take into account the savings in benefit payments, the reduced dependency on other public services and the social value of helping people to turn their lives around. It must not be squeezed out as public finances come under pressure.”
Amanda McIntyre added:
“We need smart use of public spending. We encourage the Government to use the fiscal stimulus to put capital investment, which creates jobs, alongside support packages to help the long-term unemployed and others who have previously struggled to find work. Employers would also benefit, because specialist welfare-to-work providers offer them expertise as they recruit and then help their new employees to settle into work and build up skills.”