Government announces £240m 'Get Britain Working' package to tackle economic activity

The UK government has announced a £240 million investment aimed at encouraging people to rejoin the workforce in response to high levels of economic inactivity and a “ballooning” benefits bill.

The initiative, called Make Britain Work, was announced ahead of the upcoming budget by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who promised to “build a Britain where people who can work will work”.

Reeves, who is preparing to present the first budget since the new government came to power tomorrow (30 October), said the plan would turn the page on the recent increase in economic inactivity towards a future where people have good jobs and that “the ballooning benefits bill is under control.”

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The figures highlight that the UK is the only G7 country with higher levels of economic inactivity than before the pandemic.

The government said some of the funding will be used to roll out Get Britain Working ‘pioneers’ in local areas, which will offer jobs, health and skills support to disabled and long-term ill people.

It seems that These breakthroughs will focus on reaching people who might not normally be in touch with the system, by enabling local areas to help them access available support in skills, education, employment or health. They will also test new early interventions that target specific barriers these groups face in work.

Ben Willmott, CIPD’s head of public policy, said the organization welcomed the new package: “It signals a positive intention to bring together national and regional approaches to improving the health of the workforce and increasing labor market participation”.

“Investing in local frontliners is a positive step towards tackling high levels of inactivity due to health issues and getting more people into employment,” he added.

“Leaders will need to ensure there is effective brokering and engagement with employers to ensure people access jobs that provide the flexibility, skills development opportunities and support they need to enter and stay in employment.

“It will also be vital that the government focuses strongly on improving workers’ access to occupational health services. This will ensure fewer workers are put out of work due to disability or long-term health condition.”

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