Government Employment Support Plans and Sustainable Development Goals

Overview of Employment Support Acceleration

The government intends to accelerate employment support for individuals affected by welfare benefit changes, aiming to fast-track a £1 billion support plan originally scheduled for 2029. This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, which promotes sustained, inclusive economic growth and productive employment for all.

However, internal reports from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) describe the current system as disorganized, with limited personnel dedicated to the programme. Despite these challenges, the DWP asserts its commitment to enhancing employment opportunities nationwide.

Government Objectives and Challenges

The primary government objective is to increase employment rates to reduce welfare expenditures and stimulate economic growth, thereby improving living standards in accordance with SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Ministers have allocated £1 billion for intensive job support targeting unemployed individuals. Yet, senior officials have criticized the programme for lacking a well-structured and feasible implementation plan, citing insufficient momentum and engagement.

Financial Implications and Policy Adjustments

1. The government initially projected £5 billion annual savings by 2030 through welfare reforms.
2. Working-age health-related benefits are forecasted to increase by £30 billion by 2029 without intervention.
3. Due to opposition from approximately 120 Labour MPs, the government revised its plans, maintaining current benefit levels for existing recipients of disability benefits and the health element of universal credit.
4. Consequently, savings are now estimated between £2.5 billion and £3 billion, potentially impacting fiscal policies such as tax adjustments.

These fiscal considerations relate to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, emphasizing the importance of effective policy frameworks and resource mobilization to achieve sustainable development.

Employment Support Programme Implementation Status

Operational Delays and Resource Constraints

• Since the announcement in March, limited progress has been made in recruiting job coaches.
• Contracted employment support services are reported to be behind schedule.
• Smaller employment schemes with lower budgets have larger operational teams compared to the main programme.

Target Population and Employment Challenges

The DWP estimates a low success rate in securing employment for the targeted individuals, many of whom have been detached from the labor market for extended periods. This challenge is particularly acute among people with health conditions or disabilities, reflecting SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Case Study: Rural Cumbria

• In Cumberland Council, 51% of universal credit recipients are exempt from job-seeking due to health reasons.
• Prevalent conditions include arthritis, musculoskeletal disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression.
• The suicide rate in the area exceeds the national average, highlighting mental health challenges.
• Local public health officials emphasize the need for diverse solutions beyond medical prescriptions.

This situation underscores the importance of SDG 3 and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, focusing on health and well-being and inclusive community development.

Tailored Employment Support and Community Impact

Government Commitment to Inclusive Support

The government has pledged a comprehensive employment support package to ensure disabled individuals and those with health conditions receive customized work, health, and skills assistance through new and existing programmes, advancing SDG 8 and SDG 10.

Local Employment Opportunities and Barriers

• In coastal towns such as Maryport, Whitehaven, and Workington, available jobs are predominantly in the care sector.
• Limited public transportation in rural areas restricts access to employment.
• Confidence building is identified as a critical factor for successful job placement and retention.

Community Support: GoodLives Charity

GoodLives charity in Cleator Moor assists approximately 200 individuals annually, focusing on employment support and ongoing contact for up to six months post-employment to enhance job retention.

Case example: Kerry Ritson, supported by GoodLives, works part-time despite personal challenges including ADHD and family responsibilities. Her experience highlights the role of social support in fostering self-confidence and social inclusion, contributing to SDG 3 and SDG 10.

Conclusion

The government’s accelerated employment support plan aims to address unemployment and welfare dependency, contributing to multiple Sustainable Development Goals including SDG 1, SDG 3, SDG 8, SDG 10, and SDG 17. However, operational challenges and the complexity of supporting vulnerable populations require enhanced coordination, resource allocation, and tailored interventions to achieve these objectives effectively.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article discusses welfare benefits, employment support, and efforts to reduce the welfare bill by getting people into work, which directly relates to poverty reduction.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article highlights health-related benefits, mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, and the impact of health on employment.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The government’s aim to increase employment, provide job support, and improve economic growth to boost living standards is central to this goal.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequality
   • The focus on tailored support for disabled people and those with health conditions to access employment addresses inequalities in the labor market.
5. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Issues such as poor public transport in rural areas affecting employment opportunities link to making communities more inclusive and sustainable.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified Based on the Article’s Content

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children living in poverty in all its dimensions.
   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: Reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment, and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including young people and persons with disabilities.
   • Target 8.6: Reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequality
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of disability.
5. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

1. Employment Rate and Job Placement Numbers
   • The article mentions estimates of the number of people who will get a job through the employment support programme, which can be used as an indicator of progress towards employment targets.
2. Number of People Receiving Welfare Benefits
   • Tracking changes in the number of people claiming benefits, especially health-related benefits and disability benefits, can measure progress on poverty and social protection targets.
3. Access to Tailored Work, Health, and Skills Support
   • The availability and uptake of tailored employment support programmes for disabled people and those with health conditions is an implied indicator.
4. Mental Health and Well-being Metrics
   • Indicators related to mental health prevalence, suicide rates, and access to mental health services are implied in the discussion of health challenges affecting employment.
5. Transport Accessibility
   • Measures of public transport availability and accessibility in rural areas can serve as indicators for SDG 11 targets.
6. Job Retention and Employment Sustainability
   • The article mentions maintaining contact with employed individuals for up to six months to support job retention, implying indicators related to job sustainability and employment duration.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: bbc.com