‘Andy Burnham’s authorities is in search of classes overseas as Labour braces for imminent welfare opinions’
Copenhagen’s central job centre is a far cry from the image of a neglected high-street shop front greeting job seekers that often springs to mind in Britain.
The Danish capital’s offering resembles more of a sprawling university campus, with trendy cafes and communal outside spaces.
Key to Denmark’s offer is the “fleksjob” scheme – designed to help those with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and ill-health.
Those who qualify are paired with local employers in part-time roles that are subsidised by the state in a scheme that has helped the Scandinavian country achieve one of the highest disability employment rates in Europe.
But rather than a tick-box culture – which Labour has attempted to move away from – there is a personalised service on offer.
Jobcentre worker Stine Jensen, 59, who met with the Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden this week, tells me: “We have a holistic approach – if it’s needed, I’ll go with the citizen to the doctor.
“If it’s needed, we skip job conversions and we talk about ailments. I sometimes agree to call up and say ‘how are you doing?’ It’s part of building a relationship.”
She spends around 45 minutes each month with all those assigned to her.
“They have my direct phone number,” she says. “They know if I don’t answer, it’s on silent.”
Denmark is just one of the countries ministers have been looking towards for inspiration – as the issue of welfare reform is set to land on Andy Burnham’s desk with a thud.
It is an issue that has haunted Labour since last summer, when Keir Starmer was forced to abandon plans to slash £5billion from the welfare state by tightening the eligibility to Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
Facing a Commons defeat after a rebellion from his own MPs, the ex-Prime Minister was forced to rip up the plans, leaving his authority in tatters. Welfare reform was kicked into the long-grass.
But this month, it will return to the top of the political agenda as two major reviews report back. Ex-Labour Cabinet minister Alan Milburn will publish his long-awaited recommendations into ‘Neets’ crisis.
He has spent the last year reckoning with why Britain has almost one million young people not in education, employment, or training. DWP minister Sir Stephen Timms will then deliver his verdict on the PIP benefit system.
Mr Burnham has already been clear there will be no “crude cuts” as the government weighs up how to reduce the benefits bill.
Instead, there is expected to be a greater shift to support people into the workplace.
But looking towards the Danish model will require a huge increase in investment. The Scandinavian country spends around 2% of its GDP on work support schemes, compared to the UK’s 0.3%.
Offering close to similar support at home will come with a hefty price tag in the short-term. But the long-term benefits of supporting people to fulfil their potential may be too good to ignore.
