Chamber reaction to Get Britain Working White Paper

Author - Courtney Hiles

Date published:

Marianne O’Sullivan, policy manager at the Chamber, said:

“The government’s announcement that the North East has been chosen as a trailblazer area for Get Britain Working is excellent news for the region.

“We know from the Chamber’s analysis of the region’s employment data that the North East has one of the highest rates of economic inactivity in the UK.

“By providing additional employment and training opportunities for young people and extra powers for mayors to develop their own employment plans, we really are starting to see the positive effects of devolution and can look to address economic inactivity in a focused and sustainable way.

“An inactivity trailblazer in the North East Combined Authority area and a youth trailblazer in the Tees Valley Combined Authority area, as well as additional funding, will help to identify those most at risk of falling out of education or employment and match them to opportunities for education, training or work.

“Other announcements in the white paper include a national Youth Guarantee scheme to ensure access to apprenticeship training, as well as reforms to job centres with a focus on skills. This will ensure we get the right people in the right jobs at the right time.

“There will also be an independent review of what UK employers are doing to promote healthy and inclusive workplaces, which we highlighted in our inclusive employment report.

“We will continue to work with government and local authorities to create a stronger, fairer North East, ensuring these changes are made quickly and effectively, and make a real difference for our region’s businesses.”

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