James Purnell at Inclusion conference: Work culture, not welfare culture

In a speech at Inclusion’s annual Welfare to Work conference 2008,Secretary of State for Work and Pensions James Purnell said freedom of choice will be central to radical welfare reform plans.

James Purnell outlined his vision for the future of the welfare system, devolving power, and opening the door for local providers to offer their own solutions to unemployment. The operation of the welfare system is to be significantly opened up to private and voluntary sector providers.

Mr Purnell set out a radical approach to developing employment schemes. He said the Government recognised one of the strengths of local providers is the potential to develop new solutions to existing problems.

Under the new “right to bid” process every serious idea will be properly evaluated, by a DWP commissioning team, who will report to the Secretary of State and the Permanent Secretary.

Announcing an additional £5m to extend City Strategy pilots for a further two years, Mr Purnell said he wanted to investigate giving regions more control over improving employment in their area.

Read the full speech