We need a radical shift in the top-down, centralised approach we use to match people with jobs and this interim report’s findings are a positive first step towards achieving this
Responding to an interim report by the Commission on the Future of Employment Support, Cllr Shaun Davies, Chair of the Local Government Association, said:
“We need a radical shift in the top-down, centralised approach we use to match people with jobs and this interim report’s findings are a positive first step towards achieving this.
“Councils and devolved authorities have the wide-ranging role, knowledge and expertise to help people into work. Our own analysis shows about £20 billion is spent by central government on at least 49 national employment and skills related schemes or services in England, managed by nine Whitehall departments and agencies, with no overall national strategy or accountability.
“The LGA wants to see a new local deal, which will help to build a brand new central-local partnership in which local government can work to its full potential for our people and create much needed opportunities in our communities.
“As this report states, things work best when there is local involvement in the design of support. Given the right powers and resources over employment and skills funding for every place, councils could build on their track record of helping to get people back into work - including those who are furthest from the jobs market - and plugging growing skills gaps.”