The Scrutiny Inquiry Panel - Cost of Living met to discuss the impact of the cost of living crisis on employment services in Swansea. Councillor Rebecca Fogarty, Cabinet Member for Community, and Jo-Anne Thomas, Employment and Skills Manager, presented information on the council's employment support programmes, including Communities for Work Plus (CfW+) and Connect to Work. The panel also reviewed a written response from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) regarding national policies and local service delivery.

Employment Services and the Cost of Living Crisis

Councillor Rebecca Fogarty, Cabinet Member for Community, highlighted the crucial role of secure, well-paid employment in navigating the cost of living crisis. She emphasised that Swansea Council's employment services, such as Swansea Working, adopt a person-centred approach to address the diverse barriers individuals face. Jo-Anne Thomas, Employment and Skills Manager, detailed the support offered through Communities for Work Plus (CfW+) and Connect to Work. CfW+ assists individuals aged 20 and over who are unemployed or economically inactive and face complex barriers to employment, offering personalised action plans, mentoring, and access to training and work experience. Connect to Work, funded by the DWP, provides intensive support for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to find and sustain employment.

The rising cost of living is significantly impacting residents' ability to access and remain in employment. Increased fuel costs are leading some individuals to reject job offers due to unaffordable travel expenses. Many also struggle with the cost of transport to essential services like food banks. Demand for fuel vouchers, debt advice, and essential household items has risen, with some individuals unable to afford mobile phone contracts, which are increasingly necessary for job applications and communication. The transition into work is also more challenging, with costs for travel, childcare, and clothing becoming significant hurdles. For those already in work, high household costs can exacerbate stress and make managing reduced hours or sickness absence more difficult.

The council's employment services offer a range of support to improve skills and financial resilience. CfW+ provides a Barriers Fund to help with costs such as travel, childcare, and interview clothing, accessible both before and during the initial weeks of employment. A dedicated Training Officer sources bespoke training linked to job opportunities. Connect to Work offers intensive one-to-one support, including vocational profiling, job matching, and interview preparation, with funding available for essential costs. Both programmes work closely with welfare rights and financial inclusion teams to ensure participants understand their entitlements and the financial implications of taking up employment.

Digital Exclusion and Employment

Digital exclusion is a significant barrier, impacting individuals' ability to search for jobs, apply for work, and access support services. Many vacancies are advertised online, and employers increasingly expect digital applications and interviews. Those without suitable devices, reliable internet, or digital skills can miss opportunities and struggle with online forms and applications. The council's services, including Lifelong Learning's Stay Connected project, aim to address this by providing digital literacy training and signposting to relevant services. Connect to Work offers practical digital support as part of its employment plans, and eligible equipment or assistive technology can be provided if digital barriers prevent employment.

Partnership Working and Employer Engagement

Swansea Working operates a triage system to direct residents to the most appropriate employment support partner. The council collaborates with various organisations, including Citizens Advice, the Welfare Rights Team, and the Department for Work and Pensions, to assist residents with financial concerns. Partnerships with employers are also crucial, with Employer Engagement Officers identifying suitable roles, supporting inclusive recruitment, and providing in-work support to improve job retention.

Training, Apprenticeships, and Employment Opportunities

While training, apprenticeship, and employment opportunities exist in Swansea, they are not sufficient to meet the full needs of residents. Many opportunities are competitive, geographically inaccessible, or difficult to reach for those without private transport. Participants often face barriers such as limited work history, additional learning needs, or caring responsibilities that restrict working hours. The council offers apprenticeship programmes, but demand often outstrips supply. Further investment in community-based training and a wider range of apprenticeship placements are needed.

Recommendations for Change

A key recommendation for making the biggest difference to residents experiencing financial hardship is to expand support for those already in employment. Many individuals seek assistance to increase their working hours or retrain to improve their income, but current Welsh Government criteria for CfW+ prevent support for those in work. There is also a recognised need for extended in-work support, beyond the current four-week period, to help individuals sustain employment, particularly in light of rising in-work poverty.

Department for Work and Pensions Response

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) declined to attend the meeting in person, stating that many of the questions related to national government policy and ministerial responsibilities. They provided a written response, highlighting national initiatives such as childcare cost support, cost of living payments, and winter fuel payments. The DWP also mentioned in-work progression support and the availability of job fairs and a youth hub in Swansea. They indicated that escalation routes for urgent cases are available to local authorities and welfare advisors.

Project Plan and Future Meetings

The panel reviewed its project plan, noting upcoming meetings with Citizens Advice and a planned visit to a food bank or food-related initiative. The inquiry aims to conclude with a final report in January 2027.