Quids in! speaks with Lynsey Sweeney, Managing Director of Communities that Work, to gain her insights on the opportunities and challenges of the ‘Get Britain Working’ initiative
The UK government’s Get Britain Working white paper heralds a fresh approach to addressing worklessness, particularly among those left behind by traditional employment initiatives. With ambitious goals such as reducing economic inactivity and tackling long-term unemployment, this initiative has stirred considerable interest among stakeholders.
In December 2024, a report into tenancy sustainment identified income maximisation as a critical area for social landlords. Holding on to Home identified the transition to Universal Credit as a destabilising influence, so a key alternative is employment: “When developing interventions to improve rent payment levels, landlords should focus on activities that maximise tenants’ income, rather than those that seek to improve motivation and financial capabilities.”
Quids in! spoke to Lynsey Sweeney, Managing Director at Communities that Work, a support network aiding social landlords to help tenants into employment. To what extent do landlords see themselves as stakeholders in the ambition to get Britain working? And how does the white paper represent both a significant opportunity and a challenge to them?
Unlocking the Potential of Social Landlords
“Social landlords can deliver on so many aspects of the government’s ambition,” says Sweeney. “We can be a key partner in the design and delivery of outreach and support services that, dare I say it, actually reach the parts that other services don’t.”
Through initiatives like the JobsPlus pilots, social landlords are demonstrating they can sit at the heart of social justice efforts, driving opportunities across communities. From hosting job fairs and providing on-site skills training to collaborating with local employers, many social landlords already play an active role in addressing employment barriers. Crucially, programmes address the wider challenges – such as childcare, health issues, and a lack of skills – that prevent tenants from entering the workforce.
For Sweeney, these initiatives need to be place-based. “Get Britain Working will not succeed unless wider barriers to employment are assessed and addressed locally,” she says. “Social housing can do so much locally, effectively and efficiently.”
Health and Employment: Bridging the Divide
One of the most pressing challenges lies in integrating health and employment support. As the white paper acknowledges, unemployment rates due to long-term sickness are alarmingly high. The proposed NHS accelerators and local work, health and skills plans aim to tackle this, looking at the economic benefits of investment in combating conditions like diabetes, back pain and low-level mental ill-health. Workwell pilots, announced by the previous government, share a similar rationale.
Sweeney emphasises the need for collaboration at the community level: “Unemployment or economic inactivity rates due to long-term health conditions must be addressed in partnership across support agencies. Person-centred casework, which brings agencies together around individuals and households, could improve the employment outcomes for many people experiencing long-term health conditions.” Social landlords, community organisations, and health agencies must collaborate to provide wraparound services that address tenants’ needs holistically.
Shifting Mindsets: Addressing Perceptions of Employability
For many long-term unemployed individuals, feelings of being “unable, unwanted, and unemployable” create significant barriers. Social landlords, with their deep ties to communities, are well-positioned to build trusted relationships and provide tailored support. Sweeney notes that several social landlords already run person-centred programmes focusing on individuals’ health, well-being, and self-confidence.
“Tenant engagement is key in building trusted relationships where personal issues and feelings can be discussed openly, frankly and without judgment,” she says. Expanding programmes like JobsPlus could ensure that more people access the support they need to transition into meaningful employment.
The whole experience of employment support must be supportive, however. The government’s proposal to merge the National Careers Service with jobcentres to create the National Jobs and Careers Service marks a significant shift. Sweeney says: “It’s important to focus on opportunities for progression in work and earnings while avoiding harmful sanctions that can damage confidence and income security.”
Raising Aspirations Beyond the Next Rent Payment
For many tenants, immediate challenges such as paying bills and securing basic necessities make it difficult to focus on long-term employment goals. The benefits system must provide certainty during the transition from unemployment to employment, says Sweeney. “Employment can feel like a risk, like a complication in an already stressful situation. With the right support and information, people can transition into work well and never look back.”
Support must also extend to ensuring that individuals have the flexibility to explore different job opportunities and find a sustainable fit. Employment advisors need to be empathetic and provide clear guidance on the benefits safety net available for those navigating the complex path back into work.
Opening Up Opportunities to All
In regions like Bath, where Quids in! Is based, where hospitality jobs abound, unemployed individuals often perceive certain roles as inaccessible or unsuitable. Sweeney argues that landlords can play a pivotal role in connecting tenants with training and job opportunities while challenging employers to make workplaces more inclusive.
“Nobody should feel excluded from a business’ premises or social space on grounds of class, income, or accent,” she says. Encouraging employers to hold open days, paid trials, and new pathways into employment can foster a more inclusive job market.
The construction sector – a key focus of Get Britain Working – has faced challenges in creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. Sweeney highlights the underrepresentation of women in the industry as one of the significant issues. “The sector needs to create better pathways into a broad range of jobs beyond the stereotypical male bricky on a building site,” she says.
Social landlords, who commission large-scale construction and maintenance contracts, can lead by example. By embedding social value into these contracts, landlords can ensure that supply chains contribute to local employment and skills development. Recognising and championing landlords that excel in this area could set a benchmark for others to follow.
Navigating Policy Risks and Opportunities
The intersection of government policies, such as welfare cuts and increased employer costs, presents risks to tenants’ ability to access meaningful job opportunities. While these factors may dampen business confidence, Sweeney remains optimistic: “There remains a high number of job vacancies across labour-intensive sectors. Employers may reduce the number of new vacancies, but changes in employer tax won’t wipe a million jobs off the board.”
She stresses that welfare cuts must be accompanied by robust support systems to help individuals transition into sustainable employment. Social housing providers, working in partnership with other agencies, can play a crucial role in bridging the gap.
The Path Forward: Creating Communities That Work
As the government’s Get Britain Working initiative takes shape, the role of social landlords, networks like Communities That Work, and health-based and grassroots support initiatives will be critical. By addressing barriers to employment, fostering collaboration across sectors, and championing inclusive practices, these organisations can help transform the ambitions of the white paper into tangible outcomes.
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