Decision details

The decision enables the adoption and publication of “Oxfordshire Works,” as required by the Department of Work & Pensions.

To approve the final version of “Oxfordshire Works,” Oxfordshire’s local Get Britain Working Plan.

In the Get Britain Working White Paper, the government made a commitment to support all areas to develop local Get Britain Working Plans and to convene local partners to work together to develop and deliver them. Plans are intended to set out an analysis of economic inactivity in each local area and highlight the actions that could be taken to improve outcomes for the local population and local employers.

The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) wrote to Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) on 28 February 2025, requiring the Council to lead the development of a local Get Britain Working Plan for Oxfordshire.

The first draft was recommended to Cabinet for approval on 21 October 2025. As not all partners had submitted written feedback on that draft by the time of circulation, delegated authority to the Director of Economy & Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy & Innovation, was also granted.

Partners have now provided written feedback. A summary of the key changes made includes:

·       More data on health-related barriers to work

·       Further mapping of employment support provision across the county

·       A more detailed action plan

·       Greater clarity on governance and decision-making

In making these changes, both the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Berkshire West Integrated Care Board and the Department for Work & Pensions have confirmed their approval for Oxfordshire Works – subject to approval from OCC.

Do nothing. As the preparation, adoption and publication of a local Get Britain Working Plan is a requirement from central Government, this was not considered viable.