The ERSA Conference: 50D’s Reflections

The ERSA conference was timely. From our perspective, it also gave us the opportunity to meet some of our lovely clients in person! The new Government has been in power for six months now and enabled the sector to take stock of the market and map out what the new policy landscape will bring.

The Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern, opened the event with a keynote speech underpinning the Government’s commitment to key policy pledges which will change the shape of the sector over the next 18 months. In light of this, we thought it would be useful to outline some of our reflections:

• The Drive for Devolution: Transferring more power to Combined/Local Authorities is still a key priority. Devolution brings opportunities and challenges. Capacity and capability vary across geographies and it is important that localities without a devolution deal are not left behind. We look forward to seeing the proposals put forward through the devolution White Paper.

• The Role of National Provision: Greater continuity and market stability is required to shape the future market. We would welcome the publication of an updated DWP Commissioning strategy and future pipeline. This includes future intentions to commission a new DWP CAERHS framework and plans to co-commission locally through Integrated Care Boards

• Voluntary/Mandated Programmes: The role of mandated provision still seems uncertain. There is little appetite from devolved authorities to deliver mandated provision through a conditionality regime. However, claimant commitments are still viewed as a central part of future policy.

• Test & Learn: A commitment to understanding the underlying drivers of economic inactivity is to be commended. However, the sector is not starting from a blank canvas and possess’ over 30 years’ experience of delivering programmes, including New Deal, Employment Zones and Restart. It is important that this expertise is not forgotten and is actively used to shape future policy strategy.

• Wider Employability Expenditure: It was surprising to see that the Refugee Employment Programme commissioned through the Home Office will come to an end in June 2025. It is vitally important that hardest to help groups receive the support they need to access employment opportunities.

• Policy Impact and Expectations: The Connect to Work programme will help to address rising levels of economic inactivity but the investment is modest. Wider welfare reform and funding will be required to address this. Over 40% of the Universal Credit caseload do not have any work requirements and this is likely to rise to 50% over the next two years.

Providers need to develop strategies and contingency plans so that they can adapt to the new environment.

Drop us a line at matt@50-degrees.com if you need any support to navigate through the current funding landscape