Briefings and responses

Locally commissioned employment support programmes can help to provide tailored support to people who have complex conditions and find it difficult to overcome certain barriers to access the jobs market.

The programme of reviews, covering further education and sixth form colleges, is taking place in waves and is due to completed by end of March 2017. Read the full briefing:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is preparing to launch a new Work and Health Programme (WHP) for people with health conditions and disabilities and those unemployed for over two years. It will replace the current Work Programme (WP) and Work Choice contracts.

Steps taken by DWP to influence the design of Jobcentre Plus (JCP) and co-design the Work and Health Programme with local areas are positive. However we are calling on the DWP to take a holistic approach to all employment services, and ensure funding for these services is devolved to all areas across England.

We want to work closely with Government on proposals on the Primary Authority Scheme, apprenticeships, non-domestic rates and plans for a public sector exit payment cap.

The LGA welcomes the Government’s ambitious commitment to create three million new apprenticeships by 2020. However we have significant concerns about the proposed policy approach to achieve it.

The LGA is calling for powers, funding and responsibilities on employment and skills to be devolved to councils so they can plan investment in their area, reduce long term unemployment and maximise opportunities for joint working.