Social Market Foundation Seminar
“Getting London Working? Next steps for Welfare to Work”
Wednesday 7th July 11-1pm
I am very pleased to invite you to this seminar, held in association with
the Tomorrow’s People initiative: Getting London Working. The seminar is
convened to examine some critical issues of employment policy and will
take place at the offices of the Social Market Foundation, 11 Tufton
Street, London SW1, between 11 am and 1pm on Wednesday 7th July.
Despite the successes of the New Deal approach, there remains some areas
for concern; there are, for example, large employment rates amongst two
key groups; the disabled and the over 50s. Added to this, a large
proportion of Britain’s claimants lack basic skills and a smaller minority
lack so called ‘soft skills’. These problems have critical implications
for the use of incentives, benefit sanctions and the role of the different
providers involved in implementation. London presents its own problems,
with its additional problems of high housing costs, childcare and
transport.
The seminar will concentrate on a number of key questions, including:
· How can the New Deal be improved as a whole?
· How can those hardest to reach best be targeted?
· What is the role for private and voluntary sector providers?
The seminar discussion will take place with a particular emphasis on these
issues as they affect London, and we are pleased to welcome as our
speakers Michael Richardson, Acting Group Director, Children and Work at
the Department for Work and Pensions, Mark Fisher, Business Strategy
Director, Jobcentre Plus, and Dr Marc Stephens, Executive Director,
Business and Skills, the London Development Agency,
I very much hope you will be able to join us for what should prove an
interesting and stimulating session. A buffet lunch will be provided. If
you are able to attend, or would like to send a colleague in your place,
please email me on [log in to unmask] or call my direct line: 020 7227
4401. Please note that the seminar is free to attend.
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