New DWP chief Liz Kendall sets out Labour's plans to get young people into work

Liz Kendall will today set out the new Labour Government's plans to get young people into work.

The Work and Pensions Secretary will press ahead with the party's manifesto commitment to introduce a youth guarantee scheme. It is aimed at giving all 18-21-year-olds access to training, an apprenticeship, or support to find work. As part of the work the Job Centre Plus and the National Careers Service will be merged to help get more people into the workplace.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said the measures will be part of immediate action to tackle economic inactivity. Government figures show 2.8million people are out of work due to long-term sickness, with 800,000 young people not in education, employment, and training.

On a visit to a Job Centre in Leeds with her new ministerial team, Ms Kendall will say: “Growth is our number one mission and, as the Chancellor said, our Back to Work Plan is central to achieving our plans. Economic inactivity is holding Britain back – it’s bad for people, it’s bad for businesses, and it’s bad for growth. It’s not good enough that the UK is the only G7 country with employment not back to pre-pandemic levels.

"It is time for change in every corner of the country. We’ll create more good jobs, make work pay, transform skills, and overhaul jobcentres, alongside action to tackle the root causes of worklessness including poor physical and mental health."

The Government has also promised that more disabled people and those with health conditions will be supported to get into and remain in work "by devolving more power to local areas so they can shape a joined-up work, health, and skills offer that suits the needs of the people they serve".

Ex-PM Rishi Sunak had faced criticism following a speech on welfare reform in April which saw campaigners accuse him of a "hostile rhetoric" on sick notes and describe proposals as a "full-on assault on disabled people".

James Taylor, executive director of strategy at disability equality charity Scope, said of Labour's plans: "The government has set out a positive vision. Tackling economic inactivity by addressing the root causes of ill health and NHS waiting lists, rather than demonising people who are too unwell to work, is a victory for common sense. Bringing in a localised approach is a key part of this - local advisers are best placed to advise on local opportunities for disabled people."

He added: "We encourage the government to go further and address other significant barriers disabled people face, such as such as employers’ negative attitudes, inflexible working practices, and backlogs getting the right support. They must also reassure disabled people who aren’t well enough to work that they won’t be forced into unsuitable jobs, or have vital financial support taken away.”