The Labour Market Advisory Board has been launched to advise the government on getting Britain ‘working again’ following growing economic inactivity.

Experts advising the government on tackling the ‘greatest employment challenge for a generation’ met with the Work and Pensions Secretary for the first time on September 9, 2024.

The Labour Market Advisory Board, appointed by Liz Kendall, work and pensions secretary, consists of labour market experts from across business, industrial relations and academia.

At its first meeting, members offered new approaches to shape government work on economic inactivity, tackling the root causes for people remaining out of work such as poor physical and mental health. The board also discussed how it can help the government reach its ambition of an 80 per cent employment rate.

The board will develop new ideas and initiatives for Liz to consider as she works to bring down the levels of economic inactivity. The UK is the only G7 country whose employment and inactivity rates haven’t returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Liz said, “Spiralling inactivity is the greatest employment challenge for a generation, with a near record 2.8m people out of work due to long-term sickness.

“Addressing these challenges will take time, but we’re going to fix the foundations of the economy and tackle economic inactivity.

“The board’s knowledge, expertise and insight will help us to rebuild Britain as we deliver our growth mission, drive up opportunity and make every part of the country better off.”

As Wes Streeting, the health secretary, previously set out, cutting NHS waiting lists will get Britain back to health and back to work. The board’s first meeting will examine the impact of ill-health on inactivity and how the government can support more people into good work.

Paul Gregg, chair of the Labour Market Advisory Board, said, “Having studied the UK’s labour market across several decades, it is clear that the current labour market faces a deep-seated set of challenges.

“We have seen a sharp increase in economic inactivity and long-term sickness, most notably in our young people post-pandemic. Further, real wage growth has been heavily supressed for 15 years hitting living standards and government tax revenues. Reversing these trends will be key to ensuring the long-term prosperity of the UK’s labour market.

“I look forward to working with members of the board and the secretary of state to support her vision for growth and examining positive solutions to address inactivity and harness the true potential of the UK’s labour market.”

Liz is also expected to outline her plans to devolve power to local areas so they can tackle inactivity with bespoke work, health, and skills plans, which are expected in a white paper in the autumn 2024.

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