Forward’s Employment Directorate Responds to the Latest Report from the Work and Pensions Committee

1. Ministerial alignment

We welcome Jacqui Smith’s dual ministerial role across the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Education (DfE), which presents a vital opportunity to join up skills and employment policy. To maximise this potential, we recommend stronger alignment with Skills England and increased investment in adult skills funding, particularly for charities and specialist providers who play a critical role in supporting disadvantaged jobseekers.

2. Personalised support over sanctions

The Forward Trust continues to advocate for tailored, intensive support to address the real barriers people face when entering or sustaining work, rather than an over-reliance on sanctions. Where the DWP and Jobcentre Plus network may lack capacity, we recommend making better use of the Dynamic Purchasing System and other commissioned programmes to enable providers to deliver genuinely personalised support.

3. Devolution and national frameworks

We support devolution initiatives, including the Connect to Work programme, which brings decision-making closer to local communities. We also urge the Government to renew the Commercial Agreement for Employment and Health Related Services (CAEHRS) without delay, ensuring continuity of provision for people who need it most.

4. Sustainable employment and employer engagement

Good and sustainable employment must remain at the heart of government policy. This includes not just job entry but retention and progression. We encourage employers to make reasonable adjustments, provide ongoing training, and expand apprenticeship opportunities to support individuals in building long-term, fulfilling careers.

5. Co-location and outreach

We agree with the Committee’s findings that co-location of services is essential. Charities and providers should work alongside Jobcentres to deliver tasters, advice, and hands-on support, ensuring services are accessible and relevant to those who need them.

Our impact and credentials

At The Forward Trust, we supported more than 2,000 individuals into work and self-employment in 2024/25. We continue to deliver Restart, IPS, Enterprise, and Ofsted-rated “Good” Adult Skills programmes. Our commitment to excellence has been recognised nationally: we were ERSA Award finalists in both 2023 and 2024, and we are proud to be a Matrix Standard-accredited provider.