The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that half a million people have been supported into work in less than six months thanks to ‘Way to Work’, a UK Government drive to get jobseekers into employment.
Launched in January, ministers set the target of supporting 500,000 jobseekers through the Jobcentre and into employment by the end of June. This coincided with the need to fill a record number of job vacancies as the economy rebounded following the coronavirus pandemic.
Unemployment now stands at an almost 50-year low with 627,000 more people in payroll employment compared to pre-pandemic levels. The DWP says the nation’s attitudes have been transformed, with many jobseekers’ taking on roles in new sectors and employers recruiting through Jobcentres for the first time.
By June 26, 2022 DWP estimated that at least 505,400 unemployed people receiving Universal Credit and Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) claimants have now moved into work during the campaign.
To keep up momentum, the Department said it will continue to bring jobseekers face to face with employers, helping more people find work and earn a wage.
Commenting on the figures, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Dr Thérèse Coffey, said: “When people needed jobs and the economy needed workers, we stepped up our efforts to connect Jobseekers with employers and have delivered on our target to get 500,000 more people into work in less than six months.
“Our ABC approach to help people get Any job first, a Better job next and into a Career is off to a flying start. With people in jobs, we can move to the next stage - helping them progress in-work and boost their earnings.”
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, added that the UK Government is stepping up targeted support measures to ensure everyone can find a job that’s right for them, develop their skills and climb up the career ladder.
The PM said: “In less than six months we’ve helped half a million people - who have so far been struggling to find employment - into work. This is a massive success, especially in the context of some of the global economic pressures we’ve been facing.
“Helping people find the security of a stable income, through a job they can take pride in, is one of the best ways for people to support their families during these challenging times.”
Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP added that the UK Government is “determined to get everyone, at any age or career stage, the support they need to get back into work”.
Ms Davies explained: “We’re stepping up our targeted support for older workers, those living with health conditions and for people who have been out of work for more than 12 months, ensuring everyone can find a job that’s right for them, earn a wage and have the opportunity to progress.”
What is the ‘Way to Work’ scheme?
As part of ‘Way to Work’, rules for job-ready claimants were changed, requiring them to broaden their job search after one month to include sectors new to them.
The DWP also worked with employers to short-circuit their recruitment practices, getting hiring managers and jobseekers in front of each other in Jobcentres across the UK, leading to an ‘on the spot’ hiring approach, getting people earning quicker, and reducing hiring costs for employers.
Following the success of the jobs drive, ministers have renewed a focus on supporting in-work progression for workers across the country through the national network of Jobcentres.
Having picked up the roles that the economy needed, people are now being supported by their Jobcentre to progress, helping them to earn more money, get more hours, and use their experience as a springboard for their career.
The DWP said it is focused on supporting the long-term unemployed, older workers and those with health conditions to find work, helping the UK maximise employment and supporting economic growth.
‘Midlife MOT’s’ will help older workers take stock of their skills and finances and take advantage of those years in work over 50 which DWP says it knows can often be the most interesting and lucrative.
In addition, ministers have committed to spending £1.3 billion to support people with disability and health challenges into work building on the expansion of Disability Employment Advisers.
Returning to work can be more difficult after an extended period of unemployment, however, the UK Government’s Restart scheme aims to give jobseekers a year of intensive support and is already assisting a quarter of a million people.
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