By Tony O’Reilly-
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall laid out Labour’s ambitious plan to ensure that “everyone who can work, does.”
Speaking at the party conference in Liverpool, Kendall emphasized the party’s commitment to tackling economic inactivity and reshaping the welfare system to provide real opportunities and dignity through work.
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Kendall’s keynote address resonated with the central theme that “real opportunities will be matched by the responsibility to take them up.” She asserted that a Labour government would usher in a new era of economic inclusion, signaling a departure from the current approach that has faced criticism for harsh benefits sanctions.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s recent announcement of the government’s intention to make benefits sanctions even more stringent underscored the pressing need for a fresh perspective on employment and welfare in the UK.
Kendall’s message was clear: “Britain isn’t working” when over two million people find themselves excluded from the workforce due to sickness or disability, despite their desire to work.
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Under Labour’s leadership, this paradigm will shift. The primary goal will be to ensure that every capable individual is gainfully employed, recognizing that the benefits of work extend far beyond the payslip and encompass the essential elements of dignity and self-respect.
In order to address the root causes of worklessness, Labour’s comprehensive plan includes a number of things.
It plans to invest in Mental Health:
Kendall outlined a commitment to recruit thousands of additional mental health staff to provide essential support to those facing mental health challenges, recognizing the impact these issues have on employment opportunities.
Skill Overhaul: The party intends to revamp the skill development landscape to equip individuals with the necessary tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market.
Transforming Employment Support: Labour will overhaul the employment support system to ensure that it effectively facilitates job placement and empowers individuals to advance in their chosen careers.
Kendall’s vision extends beyond just securing employment; it encompasses the larger framework of creating a more equitable and inclusive society. She highlighted Labour’s commitment to reduce poverty by establishing a Labour’s “new deal for working people”, aiming to reduce poverty, boost wages, and enhance workers’ rights, fundamentally reshaping the economic landscape.
The party said it envisions far-reaching changes to job centers, focusing not only on job placement but also on fostering career development and advancement for all.
Labour intends to reform the universal credit system to ensure it provides vital support when needed and genuinely makes work financially viable.
Equality for disabled individuals will also be championed, with a strong commitment to eliminating barriers to employment and social participation.
Labour promises to develop a robust cross-government strategy to combat child poverty, ensuring that every child in the UK has the opportunity for a bright future.
In concluding her address, Kendall reiterated that this comprehensive plan represents a contract with the British people: “real opportunities matched by the responsibility to take them up.” She emphasized that Labour’s ambition remains undiminished, affirming their commitment to delivering a fairer and more inclusive society where the dignity of work is accessible to all.
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