Local Government Improvement and Development worked closely with experts in the worklessness field in England, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and Communities and Local Government to develop a series of ‘How to’ guides.  The guides are aimed to help practitioners who have a role in tackling worklessness and meeting local employment outcomes.

These guides contain practical advice, tips for action and support, and offer practical support for tackling worklessness

Engaging business to create healthier and wealthier communities

There are 4.7 million businesses in the UK employing 22.7 million people and accounting for £2,800 billion. Yet, in spite of their universally acknowledged importance, local authorities have traditionally struggled to engage with local businesses. Those who do make the effort are rewarded with working partners who bring a variety of experience and drive to the partnership and deliver the following benefits:

• a wider knowledge of the local, regional and national economy than local authority officers are able to have 
• access to networks 
• challenge to the status quo and ability to break down some of the barriers that prevent progress
• a focus on risk, reward and cost/ benefit analysis, insisting on success before further funding is committed to an initiative 

• independence: they have no vested interest and are not at the mercy of council funding streams

Engaging Business to create healthier and wealthier communities