Agenda item

To consider evidence as the first session of the Board’s inquiry on employment and skills

The Board conducted the first session of its inquiry on employment and skills. In attendance to address the Board and answer Members’ queries were:

-  Ian Hunter, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

-  Alison France, Department for Work and Pensions

-  Councillor Katherine Mitchell, Lead Member, Digital and Creative Technologies, Culture and Skills

-  Jane Hopkins, Head of Employment and Skills

-  Lee Hemsworth, Chief Officer Customer Access

-  Steve Carey, Chief Officer (Welfare and Benefits)

Ian Hunter spoke about the recent changes to the way that services are provided through the Job Centres, highlighting the following key points:

·  There are 8 Job Centres and about 500 staff across Leeds.

·  There are about 59,000 people on key benefits, with around 16,000 claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA). Approximately 4,000 of these are young people. All of these figures have reduced from peak levels thanks to partnership working.

·  The changes to a digital based service are seen as exciting and equipping the service for the 21^st century. It is better for those who can self-serve, whilst face to face resource will be focused on supporting those who are unable or unwilling to do so.

·  About 85% of JSA claims are now being made on-line.

·  Claimants are shown how to use the public access computers in Job Centres, including how to access key websites and upload their CV.

·  The service also increasingly uses text, email and twitter to communicate.

·  The Claimant Commitment has replaced the previous Jobseeker’s Agreement.

·  The Job Centres are not shutting down channels of access and there is a commitment to provide support to ensure people are not digitally excluded.

Councillor, officers and the Lead Member highlighted the following points:

·  The Council is taking a similar approach to digital enabling through the community hub pilots, encouraging those who are able to self-serve to do so, and providing support to those unable to do so. There is a role in providing the digital infrastructure and also building capacity and providing support to access it.

·  There is wide ranging provision of courses and learning across Leeds to develop on-line skills and this is being promoted.

·  People need to be supported with the ability and confidence to use technology.

·  It is important not to close down alternative channels of access while people still need them.

·  Council officers are working closely with the DWP over the benefit changes and also learning from the experience of other authorities.

The following issues were raised in discussion:

·  Face to face support is given to those currently unable to use the PC access at Job centres, with the aspiration that over time people will become able to self-serve.

·  The support provided by library staff to members of the public applying for jobs.

·  The role of Job Clubs, including operational hours, accessibility, funding and value for money.

·  Difficulties for claimants covering the cost of attending centres either for courses or to use computers. It was noted that the DWP reimburses bus fares for attendance.

·  The role of the Community Hubs and the piloting of pop-up provision to take services to where people are.

·  The need to use mapping information to look more closely at areas of digital exclusion, identify gaps in service provision and consider how to address these.

·  The demotivating effect of applying for lots of jobs and getting no feedback from employers.

·  The role of Job Centre staff in supporting clients who are being unsuccessful in their applications.

·  The proposed further development of community hubs across the city

·  The recording of job seeking activity on claimants’ universal job match accounts, and the operation of sanctions under the new Claimant Commitment scheme.

·  The potential for co-location of Job Centres and council offices, which is precluded at present by the leases on Job Centres. There was a commitment to work in a complementary manner and avoid duplication.

·  The need to engage with employers about the skills they require from employees.

·  The publication of a leaflet “Get online in Leeds”.

·  The potential role of the private sector in boosting public wifi access. An example was given where wifi is required in order for smart meters to work in housing tower blocks.

·  The lesson from successful local authorities is that staff and councillors need to be champions of computer use and encourage people to embrace digital technology.

·  A request for data on any impact on the use of council free phone access following the removal of public access phones from Job Centres.

·  Feedback from employers about whether speculative applications are welcome or not, and how this influences the requirements on claimants to submit applications.

·  How young people are supported to be job ready.

·  The positive impact of work experience.

RESOLVED – That the issues raised by this session of the inquiry be noted.