What the government’s new welfare reforms mean for you

Plans have been revealed by the government for UK jobseekers to fill roles previously carried out by overseas workers.

The government is hoping a welfare shake-up will move the UK away from a reliance on foreign workers, especially in industries hardest hit by labour shortages caused by new immigration rules.

Under the government’s new plans, if you receive benefits, you could be trained up to work in sectors facing shortages – hospitality, care, construction and manufacturing.

In a speech to business leaders in London, Works and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said:

“This is also a huge opportunity for the thousands of jobseekers within our domestic workforce to move into roles that have previously been filled by overseas workers.”

What could this mean for me?

The government plans to replicate how it tackled the shortage of HGV drivers, including targeted skills bootcamps.

Skills bootcamps are free training courses that last up to 16 weeks and can be applied for directly through training providers.

What else could change?

Under the new welfare reforms, mandatory work placements will also be rolled out by the government for some unemployed benefit claimants.