Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: October 13, 2025

Purpose: Announced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Get Britain Working White Paper introduced two new national initiatives; developing local Get Britain Working plans and a new, grant funded workforce and employability programme called Connect to Work. The geography for both the development of the plans and Connect to Work is identical. Plymouth is part of the Delivery Area which consists of Torbay Council and Plymouth City Council, with Devon County Council as the Lead Accountable Body. Devon County Council have therefore been given responsibility for these items, working in partnership with both Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council, and engaging relevant partner organisations in the process. Get Devon Plymouth Torbay Working plan: Our Delivery Area’s plan will be known as the ‘Get Devon Plymouth Torbay Working plan’, DWP have specified this covers a range of information including labour market issues related to participation, progression, earnings and job quality in the labour market. These plans are strategic and should set out ambitions for the next 10 years alongside more immediate goals and actions. These plans are closely related to the delivery of Connect to Work, which is detailed further below, but may also incorporate future DWP funding and programmes including the Youth Guarantee. Connect to Work: Plymouth City Council have worked closely with both Devon County Council and Torbay Council in designing delivery of the new Connect to Work programme across the Delivery Area. This is a new, national workforce support service aimed at helping those with disabilities and long-term health conditions into sustainable work. Grant funding has been allocated to each Delivery Area for this. Plymouth City Council have developed a place-based approach, pursuing in-house delivery, creating a new team to deliver this support to local communities and working closely with existing provision and teams. The Connect to Work programme will be available to all eligible and suitable individuals within Plymouth, supporting them into sustainable work.

Content: Purpose of Report   Announced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Get Britain Working White Paper introduced two new national initiatives; developing local Get Britain Working plans and a new, grant funded workforce and employability programme called Connect to Work. The Get Devon Plymouth and Torbay Working (GDPTW) plan will, cover labour market issues related to participation, progression, earnings and job quality in the labour market.   This strategic plan will provide strategic direction for Connect to Work, as well as future DWP initiatives such as the Youth Offer. Connect to Work, is a new programme which will specifically support disabled people, those with health conditions and people with multiple and systemic barriers to employment, to access and experience meaningful and sustainable work.   Decision   Cabinet agreed to –   1. Approve and accept the Get Devon Plymouth and Torbay Working plan: 2025 - 2027   Reason:   Accepting the Get Devon Plymouth and Torbay Working plan provides the overarching plan for delivering Connect to Work and other, new pilots and funding across this geography.   2. delegate the authority to sign future pilot contracts and agreements associated with the Get Devon Plymouth and Torbay Working plan, such as the Youth Guarantee, to the Director for Children’s Services, where they do not already have the authority to do so   Reason:   To enable the Director of Children’s Services to sign any contracts or agreement from Devon County Council or Department for Work and Pensions, on behalf of Plymouth City Council for future pilots or funds associated with the Get Devon Plymouth and Torbay Working plan, such as Youth Guarantee.   3. Approve the proposal for the Council to deliver the new DWP Connect to Work programme to support approximately 2,100 Plymouth residents (total value of approximately £6.8m over 5 years).??   Reason:   To enable the delivery of the Connect to Work programme to begin in Plymouth, which will support 2,100 residents into employment including those with disabilities, long-term health conditions and specified disadvantaged groups. Our proposed delivery will create 33 roles at peak, all fully funded through the grant allocation by the DWP.   4. delegate the authority to sign Connect to Work contracts and agreements to the Director for Children’s Services, where they do not already have the authority to do so   Reason:   To enable the Director of Children’s Services to sign any contracts or agreement from Devon County Council or Department for Work and Pensions, on behalf of Plymouth City Council.   Alternative options considered and rejected   Cabinet considered the alternative options as set out in the report