Calls for new ‘post-crisis’ approach to help 2.4 million more people into work

By The Press Association3rd March 2016News EnglandNews England, Unemployment, Vulnerable Adults

A new employment service should be launched as part of radical moves to help 2.4 million more people into work, it is being suggested.

The Resolution Foundation said the service should combine the role of jobcentres, careers advice and local authorities.

The think-tank said three-quarters of the 2.4 million workless people were economically inactive rather than unemployed, so had little interaction with the benefits system.

The government was also urged to set a target for half of new traineeships and apprenticeships going to school-leavers or the unemployed.

The foundation’s final report into full employment after a nine month investigation said disabled and older workers should be offered more help to stay in jobs.

It also highlighted additional employment barriers faced by groups including ethnic minorities and in some rural areas.

Laura Gardiner, senior policy analyst at the Resolution Foundation, said: “The government’s ambition to secure full employment is hugely welcome.

“But up to now it has said very little about what full employment actually constitutes, let alone how it intends to get there.

“Securing full employment will mean finding jobs for 2.4 million people, and with three-quarters of those missing workers currently inactive we need to a new ‘post-crisis’ approach to support them into work.

“That means a new focus on boosting participation and helping people to stay in employment for longer.

“Full employment is perhaps the most challenging economic target of this parliament.

“But moving closer towards it could provide the biggest single driver of improved living standards this parliament, so it’s a prize worth pursuing.”