This research delivered by Learning and Work Institute (L&W), and funded by Serco, comes at a pivotal moment to inform a significant new era for employment support in Wales. The commitment from the UK Government to devolve non-Jobcentre Plus support is part of a broader strategy, outlined in the recently released Get Britain Working White Paper, which aims to streamline and enhance employment support mechanisms across the UK.

This strategic shift will give Wales more control over the design and delivery of highly tailored, impactful employment policies that leverage local insights and align with the goals of reducing economic inactivity across the country.

The Welsh Government holds substantial responsibility for designing a focused Work, Health and Skills Plan. With approximately £288 million allocated to employment support (2024–2025), and a potential additional £47 million per year from devolution (based on L&W’s analysis), a crucial opportunity exists to align these significant resources and reduce economic inactivity.

This project presents timely analysis to create a richer understanding of the groups most impacted by labour market inequalities – namely women, disabled people/those with long-term health conditions, and ethnic minority groups – and to develop clear, implementable policy recommendations for a more inclusive Welsh labour market.