Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report provides an update on employment and skills data and issues in Stockport, covering the current key data on Stockport’s labour market and benefit claimants, outlines local context and provides information on employment and skills initiatives in Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to consider the data and issues in the report.

Officer Contact: Richard Mortimer on 0161 474 3864 or email: richard.mortimer@stockpirt.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on employment and skills data and issues in Stockport, covering the current key data and issues in Stockport’s labour market and benefit claimants, outlining local context, and providing information on employment and skills initiatives in Stockport.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         In response to the poor performance of the Work Programme providers with Employment Support Allowance claimants, Members were advised that a new pilot scheme had been created by the Combined Authority for Greater Manchester in the form of the Work Programme Leavers initiative, aimed at tackling persistently high levels of worklessness across Greater Manchester.

·         For the latest period that data was available for, Stockport had a higher percentage of residents aged 16 to 64 in employment compared to Greater Manchester, the North West region and the United Kingdom.

·         The success of the Council’s initiative to start 100 apprentices in local businesses in 100 days in helping to reduce the percentage of 16-18 year olds Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) was highlighted.

·         Although the Neighbourhood Management areas showed a significant decrease in Job Seeker Allowance claimants year on year, the claimant rates in these areas remained significantly above the rate for Stockport as a whole. Members requested a more detailed breakdown of Job Seekers’ Allowance Claimants by Council Wards.

·         Members highlighted the Council’s work in partnership with Jobcentre Plus through the Supporting Families Programme  to provide targeted support for those families most in need of a range of services, including employability support.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee incorporating a more detailed breakdown of Job Seekers’ Allowance Claimants by Council Wards; and more information on the outcome of the Employment Incentive Scheme and the work of the Construction Skills Centre.