Government unveils £240m Get Britain Working plan – but where’s the specialist support for women?
This week, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Secretary the Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP, announced sweeping reforms under the Get Britain Working White Paper, a £240m plan aimed at achieving an 80 per cent employment rate.
The plans focus on reforming Jobcentres, expanding opportunities for young people and improving workplace accessibility for individuals with disabilities and health conditions.
Women’s lower employment rate is seen as a key issue in the White Paper as well as the observation that “too many women who care for families still experience challenges staying and progressing at work.”
The White Paper is welcome but there is currently little detail in how women, particularly mothers will be supported into employment and to progress. Women make up 58% of those on Universal Credit and mothers are a significant group.
Currently 600,000 women on Universal Credit are in work but are still expected to attend the jobcentre and increase their pay which is twice the level than for men (at 300,000). While the ambitious measures are commendable, in the White Paper, the Women’s Forum would like mothers to be a priority group both in terms of specialist support delivered within the newly created jobs and careers service as well as by specialist organisations in the community.
Women make up a vital part of the UK economy and have the potential to play a transformative role in reaching the government’s ambitious employment goals. Yet their specific needs and challenges can remain overlooked.
In September 2024, the Women’s Forum was launched, uniting four employability organisations Belina Grow CIC Successful Mums Career Academy TRANSFORM LIVES COMPANY The Women’s Work Lab who are dedicated to helping women and mums find employment.
We will be discussing the White Paper and our plans to push for policy and funding changes that recognise the unique specialist support women need at the ERSA Conference
Please join us on Wednesday 4 December, 2.45pm-3.25pm to learn more and get involved!
