Employment and Anti-Social Behaviour

30 October 2024

Employment, and unemployment benefits, are often a live policy issue within government, and has been since the Conservative-Liberal coalition government and their austerity measures. The benefits of employment are often touted as an antidote to mental health challenges and a loss of direction, in particular aimed at young people who are at an increasing rate, become what we term as NEETs (Not in Employment, Education or training). In a Haringey council survey of residents on what causes ASB, unemployment, factored in with a ‘lack of respect for police/ social institutions’ were often portrayed as some of the key reasons as to what causes ASB.^[1] The data is not conclusive enough; however, we do know that employment and mental health often go hand in hand in a toxic paradox. It is important to note, that high unemployment often means a lack of money in an economy, which further degenerates areas and is often associated with higher levels of ASB.

A research report on the perceptions of ASB noted that policy should attempt to address the ‘social and economic conditions’ that are associated with ASB, which include deprivation, and inequality, both made worse by high unemployment.^[2] Areas with high unemployment also found corresponding rates of crime, which include offences such as Robbery, Shoplifting and Public order offences.^[3] Young people, particularly those with mental health challenges, are, as we know, more likely to be victims of ASB, than perpetrators. Therefore, regardless of if unemployment contributes to ASB, it makes vulnerable enough victims for ASB to become an insidious issue. A lack of employment also affects availability of housing, and ability to move if affected by ASB. This is set within a context of growing debates on welfare, and back to work initiatives such as Job coaches in mental health wards and free Ozempic to those who are out of work. To best support the vulnerable, which constitutes anti-social behaviour, it is important to guide those who can work, into work, however, this is often a hot issue that draws debate and controversy. It is important therefore to discuss the impact of back to work initiatives, and examine what the government, and the opposition, are articulating in terms of unemployment and welfare policy.

The current policy agenda

A cut to the sickness benefits bill is a key focus for this current government to deliver on their promise of economic stability ahead of the budget on the 30^th of October, this is as figures reported disability benefit payments are currently around £39bn and are expected to rise to £58bn in 2028-29. A source close to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves notes ‘if there are saving to be realised in the welfare budget, she does want to find them’. Reeves also used her speech at the labour conference that ‘too many people are out of work through chronic illness, waiting for treatment, or without the skills, training and security they need to fulfil their potential’, further clarifying that ‘a welfare state.. does not always incentivise work’.^[4] Last week, Liz Kendall, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced that job coaches could visit patients on mental health wards to give CV and interview advice.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), announced that this had already been trailed with ‘dramatic results’. This has come under some scrutiny from Disability advocates, Mikey Erhardt of Disability Rights UK told the BBC, ‘it is ridiculous to try and turn a hospital, a place of care and support, into a business setting’.^[5] Poverty is the number one vulnerability factor in all ill health, whether this is physical or mental, while this initiative could be effective, if given the adequate training and qualifications in order to deftly approach mental health issues, it is important to also consider the surrounding circumstances that can compound effects of ill health and make it difficult to enter the labour market. Whatever the analysis, it is clear the government is focused on reducing the welfare bill, and this will include back to work initiatives of all kinds that look to be effective in providing their commitment of fiscal responsibility and economic growth, such as even providing free Ozempic to the unemployed.^[6]

The Benefits of Voluntary Work

Rising unemployment, and concerns with the welfare budget, meant that ideas of volunteering became central to the UK Coalition government’s vision for a ‘Big Society’, which was ultimately a continuation from new labour. Research from what works wellbeing highlights the positive impacts voluntary work can have on volunteers, including increasing life satisfaction, social connection and a sense of purpose; articulated in a comprehensive review of volunteering evidence by What Works Wellbeing.^[7] This is further supported by research from the LSE and Royal Voluntary Service, which analysed the NHS Volunteer Responders programme in 2020 which found that even small acts of volunteering can boost wellbeing and increase ‘their sense of belonging to the local community’.^[8] If the effects of unemployment, particularly long-term unemployment, can often be a loss of a sense of wellbeing, a feeling of not being ‘useful’ then therefore volunteering can be an effective measure in order to combat the worst consequences of this. This is largely reiterated from research from the university of Birmingham; however, it is wise to consider that volunteering is not immune from the inequalities present in the labour market, however, it can be sought after as an ‘effective alternative to employment’ and that strictly employment based issues are not the biggest driver for volunteering. However, it is clear, that volunteering can help wellbeing and drive a sense of purpose, which can, as a result, mitigate the effects of long-term unemployment. To quote the research, by ‘conceptualising volunteering as something other than work’ therefore shifts the focus from outcomes on employability, to others such as ‘individual sociability, enjoyment and well-being, and social capital gains’.^[9]

His Majesty’s Opposition

This is perhaps starkly contrasted by His Majesty’s opposition who, now will be led by Robert Jenrick, or Kemi Badenoch, who are often focused on cuts and accusations of a ‘sick note culture’. According to Jenrick, ‘Our strong unemployment statistics – only covering those looking for work – are a comfort blanket that mask an epidemic of long-term sickness claims’, Badenoch also stated ‘we don’t have a cure for poverty’. This is perhaps compounded by hardline approaches to the benefits system, Jenrick claimed ‘One place to cut is in the benefits system’ and Badenoch reiterated similar sentiments, claiming ‘We need to have more personal responsibility. There was a time when there wasn’t any maternity pay and people were having more babies’.^[10] If, as we have articulated, mental health and unemployment often go hand in hand, it is clear therefore we need to have a preventative, intervention focused approach, much like we at Resolve advocate for in regards to antisocial behaviour.

Policy Landscape – Employment Rights Bill

In the ever live issue of unemployment in today’s economy, it is often reported that ‘work is good for mental health’, if so, making employment better for those disengaged and often the most vulnerable, is an overall net benefit, and could hopefully increases employment while also increasing wellbeing. Angela Rayner’s Employment Rights Bill therefore could be a positive step in the right direction, avoiding often punitive back to work initiatives, and improving the world of work for the most vulnerable in our society. Reports from the TUC released this week note that the impact that this Bill will have on workers will be positive. Their impact assessment notes that ‘ten million working people across the country will directly benefit from the overhaul of worker’s rights’, most important is that it is expected to ‘benefit people in work with the protected characteristics that are disproportionately represented in low pay, low quality, unsecure jobs’. This includes ‘low-paid women, younger workers, ethnic minority workers and disabled workers’. ^[11] Further to this, polling published in September this year revealed some enlightening statistics on employer’s opinions on the bill, with seven in 10 (75%) believing that strengthening employment right will improve employee health for example. ^[12] For example, removing the waiting period for statutory sick pay and the lower earnings limit, means that employees can claim sick pay from day 1 of their sickness absence.^[13] This incentivises time off when sick, and prevents the worst results of untreated sickness.

This is an issue that is live and is currently a key priority for both this governments financial planning, and also the oppositions agenda setting. It is important that in helping keep communities safe, and helping the most vulnerable, who as we know are the most affected by ASB, we help guide people who are most at a disadvantage back to employment if they can. However, it is perhaps a suggestion that we continue a policy agenda of making work pay and protect, in regards to the most vulnerable; a more carrot less stick approach. ASB often interweaves with a variety of issues in the society, and employment is one of those, we look forward and encourage an open dialogue on this issue.

Further information on the Employment Rights Bill can be found here: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3737

^[1] https://www.haringey.gov.uk/sites/haringeygovuk/files/crime_and_asb__survey_msr_.pdf

^[2] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7b3084ed915d429748d6eb/horr34-report.pdf

^[3] https://www.globalmapaid.org/crime-youth-unemployment/

^[4] https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/rachel-reeves-cut-sickness-benefits-boost-public-spending-3291668

^[5] https://www.lbc.co.uk/opinion/views/natasha-devon-job-coaches-in-mental-health-wards-may-do-more-harm-than-good/

^[6] https://fortune.com/europe/2024/10/17/unemployed-brits-free-mounjaro-ozempic-weight-loss-shots-get-jobs/

^[7] https://whatworkswellbeing.org/projects/volunteer-wellbeing/

^[8] https://cep.lse.ac.uk/pubs/download/dp1772.pdf

^[9] https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/documents/college-social-sciences/social-policy/tsrc/working-papers/working-paper-100.pdf p.18-19

^[10] https://www.bigissue.com/news/politics/tory-leadership-kemi-badenoch-robert-jenrick-politics/

^[11] https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/impact-assessment-shows-employment-rights-bill-will-benefit-workers-business-and-economy#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThis%20impact%20assessment%20confirms%20that,of%20managers%20support%20these%20plans.