Agenda item

To receive a presentation for discussion on the impact of COVID on unemployment and employment in London and the borough. To receive an update on the GLA Recovery Plan and how Enfield is working with Local London to address unemployment and skills. In addition, to inform the panel about the newly formed Skills and Education board. 

The scrutiny panel received a presentation including information on the impact in Enfield of the Covid pandemic on skills and training, recovery plans and the Skills and Employment Board.

1.            Presentation

The following points were highlighted by Bob Doyle, Head of Economic Development, on skills and training and the impact of the pandemic:   

·         There had been no major redundancies from major private employers in the borough.

·         The number of working age adults claiming unemployment benefit had increased by 164% between January and August this year.

·         The greatest rise was among people in the 25-49 age group.

·         At the peak of the pandemic, 52,000 people were furloughed.

·         Youth unemployment was projected to rise significantly. 

·         Enfield had a good mix of large employers in a range of sectors that were comparatively resilient, including in food processing, logistics, ecommerce, film and TV production.  These were industries that were likely to expand and would be able to create some highly skilled work.

·         Craft brewing was another growing industry.  Infarm was a new company doing vertical farming.

·         The long-term trend data revealed that the number of unemployed claimants in September was at the highest level it had been for the last 34 years.  Enfield was 9% above the London and UK average.

·         The younger age groups had been hardest hit.

·         However, there were some jobs available, primarily in health, teaching and warehousing but there were also a large number of applicants per job. 

The following points were highlighted by Sarah Cary on recovery plans: 

·         A transition board has been set up co-chaired by the Secretary of State and the Mayor of London. 

·         There is High Street Co-ordination Group focusing on high street issues, offering guidance on winterisation, co-ordinating licensing initiatives, sharing good practice and flagging the need to co-ordinate political and police messages.

·         There was also a London Recovering Board which was looking to the longer term to provide strategic direction to and democratic oversight of London’s recovery work.  They would be fostering collaboration and have set nine mission-based goals. 

·         From this follows a sub-regional partnership made up of seven east London boroughs including Enfield.  They are monitoring the impact on local jobs, residents and businesses.  London was looking worse than the rest of the UK.

·         Enfield was putting in place measures to develop an economy that works for everyone.  They would keep grant programmes running and provide help for new business. 

The following points highlighted by Andy Johnson (Progression and Pathway Manager):

·         The Enfield Skills and Employment Board was being established to provide a forum to allow discussion between local employers, the local authority and other stakeholders on strategic issues. 

·         It is chaired by the Leader of the Council and attended by other cabinet members.  Other members are also being invited to take part including representatives from local employers, colleges, key sectors, the DWP brokerage scheme and Job Centre Plus. 

·         The first meeting took place on 23 November 2020.

·         The board will link with existing employment strategies on Meridian Water, Children and Young People, Enfield Poverty and with the Inequality Commission, the Economic Development Strategy and Local London. 

·         The Board would be focusing on the journey from school to employment, the breadth and suitability of vocational skills training, life skills and ESOL provision, embed the pathway to work with residents with SEND, devolution of the Adult Education budget, extending partnerships, co-ordinating the governments plan for jobs, forecasting emerging and future skills, defining and positioning the role of the two new skills academies, exploring the idea of a new institute of Tech in the borough and developing a new skills and employment strategy. 

·         It was an important new initiative especially at this time of rising unemployment.  The council will be working with employers to devise proper progression pathways and opportunities.  There will be a lot to do in the next 6 months. 

2.            Questions/Comments from Scrutiny Panel Members

2.1       Support for the work on a pan London basis, but concerns about the impact of austerity and that many of the people in sectors where unemployment was high would not have expected to be in this position. 

2.2       Over 52,000 people in Enfield had been furloughed and these jobs were probably under threat.  The Council needed to be responsive to their needs.  Many of these people would have been working in Central London.  There were programmes which would cross borough boundaries and help business come back to life.

2.3       Concern that Enfield did not have a good track record in encouraging existing businesses to grow. 

2.4       Over 50% of employees in the larger companies like Metaswitch were Enfield residents.

2.5       It was acknowledged that the furlough data could be broken down into more granular detail. 

2.6       Enfield’s Neighbourhood Fund was derived from the Community Infrastructure Levy.  Fifteen percent of which has been put aside for community projects.  It is hoped it would continue beyond the next two years. 

2.7       Enfield was also distributing grants to business, with funds provided from recent Government funding initiatives, as quickly as possible. 

2.8       The approved programmes for young people would start in the New Year.  Kickstart as soon as it is approved.

2.9       Although the Civic Centre was closed two of the four hub libraries were open.

2.10    Young people had to be sign posted to programmes and referred by the Job Centre.

2.11    While being unable to comment on the specifics of licensing applications, the Council was looking at being supportive of businesses and extensions to existing out door licenses would be considered as part of their programme of support,

The Chair thanked the presenters and members for their comments.