The month in work: Is the Government's Back to Work Plan fit for purpose?
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Good morning!
It’s been a hugely busy few weeks in the world of work, employment policy and politics more widely.
Most notably last week saw a host of Mayoral Elections take place across England. Work Foundation analysis has previously highlighted the role that mayoral combined authorities can play in raising the quality of jobs on offer in their area – including via the introduction of employment charters and new procurement policies. Against a backdrop of a sluggish economy, it is vital that all newly elected Mayors prioritise action to create good, secure work over the coming years.
Last week also saw the Labour Party provide more clarity on its plans to kerb the use of exploitative zero-hour contracts, should it win the General Election. Their intent to maintain an option for workers to request zero-hour arrangements as part of a flexible working request reflects Work Foundation analysis conducted earlier this year. But to be successful it’s vital that any future Government also legislates for workers to have a right to guaranteed hours, and significantly invests in enforcement of labour regulations too.
And with the Prime Minister choosing to make a keynote address on his Government’s plans to tackle economic inactivity due to ill health, it is increasingly clear that employment, health and welfare policies will be key battlegrounds between the major political parties when the General Election arrives.
The Work Foundation has a host of research and events activity planned to help shape the debates and decisions to come in 2024 and beyond – please do get in touch if you’d like to find out more or would be interested in working together.
Best wishes,
Ben
Ben Harrison
Director
Work Foundation at Lancaster University
Double Jeopardy
Our latest research has shown that 1.4 million UK workers face the ‘double jeopardy’ of insecurity at work and at home as private rents hit a record 9.2% increase on the year.
One in four workers (aged 16-65) living in the private rented sector are in severely insecure jobs – facing unpredictable pay and hours, and limited access to employment rights and protections.
A lack of progress on a promised Employment Bill and renters reform during this Parliament has put people at risk of ‘double jeopardy’ of insecurity at work and at home. Workers who face wider structural barriers in the labour market are most at risk of being in severely insecure work whilst living in the private rented sector.
In 2023, severely insecure workers were 1.4 times more likely to live in the private rented sector than secure workers, leaving them particularly vulnerable to rising rents. Meanwhile, Black and Asian workers who are in severely insecure work are 2.2 times more likely to rely on the private rented sector for housing than white workers in severely insecure jobs.
This can have a serious impact on people’s health and wellbeing, which can’t be ignored when economic inactivity due to ill-health is reaching record levels.
Is the Government’s Back to Work Plan fit for purpose?
Last month I was one of a panel giving evidence to the Work and Pensions Select Committee session on the UK Government’s Back to Work Plan and what more can be done to boost labour market participation in the future.
While the elements of the Back to Work Plan which prioritise more tailored employment support for those who want to work are welcome, the reality is there is very little evidence to suggest parallel action to toughen sanctions will have a meaningful impact on this issue.
There are already significant job search requirements placed upon people in the welfare system and evidence suggests the prospects of being subject to an increasingly tough conditionality regime may actually be a contributing factor in pushing more people with health conditions out of the labour market altogether.
The reality is right now the focus should be on de-risking pathways to remaining in and returning to work – that means a focus on public health interventions, on driving up the number of secure, flexible jobs on offer and improving occupational health and statutory sick pay. You can read more of my thoughts on this agenda here.
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