Purpose

The decision enables the adoption and
publication of “Oxfordshire Works,” as required by the
Department of Work & Pensions.

Content

To approve the final version of “Oxfordshire
Works,” Oxfordshire’s local Get Britain Working
Plan.
 

Reasons for the decision

In the Get Britain Working White Paper, the government made
a commitment to support all areas to develop local Get Britain
Working Plans and to convene local partners to work together to
develop and deliver them. Plans are intended to set out an analysis
of economic inactivity in each local area and highlight the actions
that could be taken to improve outcomes for the local population
and local employers.
The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) wrote to
Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) on 28 February 2025, requiring the
Council to lead the development of a local Get Britain Working Plan
for Oxfordshire.
The first draft was recommended to Cabinet for approval on
21 October 2025. As not all partners had submitted written feedback
on that draft by the time of circulation, delegated authority to
the Director of Economy & Place, in consultation with the
Cabinet Member for Economy & Innovation, was also
granted.
 
Partners have now provided written feedback. A summary of
the key changes made includes:
·      
More data on
health-related barriers to work
·      
Further mapping of
employment support provision across the county
·      
A more detailed action
plan
·      
Greater clarity on
governance and decision-making
 
In making these changes, both the Buckinghamshire,
Oxfordshire & Berkshire West Integrated Care Board and the
Department for Work & Pensions have confirmed their approval
for Oxfordshire Works – subject to approval from
OCC.

Alternative options considered

Do nothing. As the preparation, adoption and publication of
a local Get Britain Working Plan is a requirement from central
Government, this was not considered viable.