Government Employment Support Services Under Fire for Failures, Calls for Substantial Reform
IPPR report exposes flaws in government employment support services, sparking calls for reform. Learn why the current approach is under scrutiny and the proposed changes.
IPPR report exposes flaws in government employment support services, sparking calls for reform. (PHOTO: LexInform)
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IPPR Exposes Failures in Government’s Employment Support Services
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has issued a scathing critique of the government’s employment support services, asserting that it is faltering and necessitates significant reform. According to a published article in Evening Standard, the prevailing strategy of encouraging jobseekers to apply for “any job” initially has proven ineffective. The government’s ABC policy, which promotes finding “Any job first, a Better job next, and into a Career,” is being criticized for its narrow and short-term focus.
The IPPR contends that the existing employment support services are providing support in name only, with minimal effectiveness for both businesses and jobseekers. Furthermore, the think tank highlights that approximately 150,000 economically inactive disabled individuals seeking employment are being overlooked by the current system. The IPPR’s call for reform includes advocating for more targeted support in growth sectors like renewable energy, emphasizing the potential for substantial job growth during the transition to a net-zero economy.
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Challenges in Employment Support Services: IPPR’s Concerns and the Call for Urgent Reforms
One key concern raised by the IPPR is the government’s reliance on financial penalties to motivate jobseekers, which it describes as counterproductive. A jobseeker quoted in the report criticized the employment support services for not accommodating individual skill sets and interests, deeming the “any job” approach as demeaning.
Melanie Wilkes, associate director for work and the welfare state at IPPR, expressed that the current employment support services are failing both businesses and jobseekers, emphasizing the need for a new universal public employment service to assist individuals in obtaining and advancing in meaningful employment. Henry Parkes, IPPR principal research fellow and co-author of the report, stressed the urgency of addressing workforce challenges and ensuring equitable access to effective job-seeking assistance during a crucial economic period.
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