Policy in Practice was invited to hear Liz Kendall’s first major speech on social security at an excellent event hosted by DEMOS yesterday. In this blog post we report key highlights from the event and explore the potential impact of these discussions.
In the week of the Spring budget the speech was a mixture of political and policy points. Ms Kendall’s opening statement was an example of both.
Starting with the politics, Liz said that the “problems created in 14 years of government can’t be fixed by this week’s budget”, and that the UK is the only G7 country whose employment rate hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels.
About policy, she said that rising long term unemployment was being driven by “older people with bad hips, knees and joints not getting help, and young people with mental health problems missing basic skills.”
In an engaging and insightful dialogue with journalists and attendees the discussion ranged from data sharing and employment support to the adequacy of social security.
Journalists challenged on policy points
Ms Kendall, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, took questions from journalists from across the political spectrum, answering questions from the BBC and the Mirror who asked about her reported comments that ’the jobless cannot live a life on benefits’. Asked whether Labour is planning to compel young people to work Ms Kendall replied that young people are ‘chomping at the bit’ for opportunities.
As the conversation unfolded, GB News asked whether the number of people on Universal Credit would fall under a Labour government. Ms Kendall responded that many people on UC are employed, highlighting that the question deserved a more nuanced response in the current employment and cost of living landscape.
Finally, the Mirror asked whether Labour could take a bold approach to social security without addressing the two-child limit. Ms Kendall spoke about her efforts in Leicester to combat child poverty, yet remained silent on the issue of ending the two-child limit.
Liz Kendall, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, recognises the potential of better data sharing to drive a more effective public sector in her first major speech on social security
Audience challenged on practice points
The subject of tackling limits to data sharing across the public sectorwas raised by Bridges Outcomes, a subject close to Policy in Practice’s heart. It was great to hear Liz acknowledge the importance and role of data sharing in supporting collaboration in fostering innovation and efficiency. Policy in Practice is helping many leading local authorities and regional government to achieve significant impact via effective data sharing practices, and more can be done.
Devolving power from central to local government was a theme of Ms Kendall’s speech, and three experts on the topic, Fiona Aldridge, Ayden Sims and Stephen Evans asked questions about Labour’s approach to devolved employment support. They asked what roles would be played by Mayors, Whitehall and employers in ensuring the success of devolved employment initiatives.
Ms Kendall expressed the need for comprehensive support systems that extend from apprenticeships to colleges and earlier.
Speaking about the importance of starting young, Ms Kendall shared an inspiring story about the Space Centre in Leicester, illustrating the positive impact of engaging school children in initiatives, and how local organisations were much better placed to deliver this.
The tale emphasised the importance of beginning support programmes at an early age, working backward from apprenticeships, A levels and GCSEs. Ms Kendall highlighted the importance of tailoring support programmes to meet the needs of both employers and young people.
Heartening to see the Shadow Minister recognise the importance of sharing data for good
We were pleased to be invited to hear Liz Kendall’s first major speech by Demos. It was very encouraging to hear recognition of the potential that better data sharing has in driving a more effective public sector.
If you have any questions for Liz Kendall, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, or have policy suggestions to put to her office, we are regularly asked to contribute. Please send your thoughts to hello@policyinpractice.co.uk or comment on this post.
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