June 2026

This monthly e-shot shares the latest information on Communities that Work, highlights some of our members' outstanding work, and keeps you informed about upcoming events.

In this edition, we look back on our annual parliamentary reception at the House of Commons, where we celebrated our network's achievements and the impact of housing-led employment support.

We also share updates from our engagement with Government and reflect on the findings of Alan Milburn's review into youth economic inactivity and what they mean for the housing sector.

Alongside these updates, we spotlight the excellent work being undertaken by our members, including Barnet Homes' approach to employability support and L&Q's workshop exploring how housing providers can help get the nation learning.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and contribution to the Communities that Work network.

Communities that Work Annual Parliamentary Reception

This month, we were delighted to host our annual parliamentary reception in the Terrace Pavilion at the House of Commons.

The event brought together CtW members, industry colleagues, civil servants and parliamentarians to celebrate the achievements of our network over the past year and recognise the collective impact of the social housing sector in supporting residents into employment and expanding opportunity.

We were honoured to hear from Helen Whately MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and our sponsoring MP, Jenny Riddell-Carpenter. Their thoughtful contributions and continued support for the sector's work in creating pathways into employment were greatly appreciated and reinforced the importance of the work being delivered across the country.

The reception was not only an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made together, but also a chance to reconnect with partners and colleagues from across the sector. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success.

We look forward to welcoming you again next year.

Member Spotlight: Barnet Homes' Employment Support Success

A new policy brief by consultant Hannah Bensusan from Barnet Homes, explores how social landlords can play a vital role in bridging gaps in employment support and helping residents overcome barriers to work.

The brief highlights the work of Barnet Homes, a CtW member and the housing management organisation for Barnet Council. Through its BOOST employability programme, Barnet Homes has spent more than a decade embedding employment support within housing services, demonstrating how trusted relationships with residents can help engage people who may not access traditional employment programmes.

This innovative approach has helped Barnet Council secure one of the Government's ten JobsPlus pilot schemes, recognising the potential of housing-led employment support to improve outcomes for residents and communities.

Hannah's accompanying article, Bringing Work Home, examines the challenges facing employment support services and argues that housing providers are uniquely placed to connect residents with opportunities, tackle barriers to work and contribute to local economic growth.

The policy brief and full article can be accessed via the links below: Bringing work home - NFA National Federation of ALMOs

James Howell’s Op-ed in Housing Today

Following the publication of Alan Milburn's review into the growing number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), our Board Director, James Howell, has written an op-ed for Housing Today exploring the crucial role housing providers can play in tackling this challenge.

In the article, James argues that housing organisations are uniquely placed to support young people facing barriers to education and employment. Through trusted relationships, local knowledge and place-based services, housing providers can help connect young people with the opportunities, support and guidance they need to build brighter futures.

The piece serves as a timely reminder that addressing youth unemployment and economic inactivity requires a collaborative approach, with the housing sector playing a key role alongside employers, education providers and government.

Congratulations to James on this thought-provoking contribution to the debate. You can read the full article below:

Milburn’s report on NEETs should be a call to arms for housing

L&Q: Get the Nation Learning

Recently, L&Q brought together housing providers for a workshop exploring how the sector is helping to get the nation learning. The session provided a valuable opportunity to share ideas and showcase the many ways housing organisations are supporting residents through learning, skills development and lifelong education. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the discussion.

The resource pack also includes a new blog from Learning and Work Institute's Head of Lifelong Learning, Aaron Revel, who chaired the session. You can read the full blog here:

How can housing providers help get the nation learning? - Get the Nation Learning

Milburn Review Highlights Growing Challenge for Young People

Alan Milburn's interim review into young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) warns that the UK could be facing a growing "lost generation", with the number of young people outside work and education projected to reach 1.25 million within the next five years.

The report highlights a range of challenges, including reduced access to entry-level jobs, falling apprenticeship numbers, mental health concerns and fewer opportunities to gain work experience.

For housing providers, the findings reinforce the important role the sector can play in supporting young people into education, training and employment through trusted, locally delivered services. The Government is expected to respond to the report in the coming months, with Milburn's final recommendations due in Autumn 2026.

Huge recruitment boost to tackle backlog in vital disability work scheme , 19 May

The government has announced a major recruitment drive to tackle long delays in the Access to Work scheme, which helps disabled people and those with health conditions stay in or move into employment. Nearly 500 additional case managers and caseworkers will be recruited to help clear a backlog of around 60,000 applications, speeding up access to support such as specialist equipment, workplace adjustments, interpreters and travel assistance. Ministers say the move will help thousands more disabled people secure and retain jobs, while forming part of wider plans to increase employment support and reduce barriers to work.

Broken fit note system to be overhauled , 20 May

The government has announced plans to overhaul the UK's fit note system, arguing that the current process is too focused on signing people off work rather than helping them stay in or return to employment. Through a series of pilot schemes across England, traditional fit notes will be tested against new approaches that provide personalised "stay in work" and "return to work" plans, with support from healthcare professionals, work coaches and employers. Ministers say the reforms aim to reduce pressure on GPs, improve health and employment outcomes, and replace what they describe as a "tick-box" system with more tailored support for people whose health affects their ability to work.

Neighbourhood Guarantee to improve villages, towns and cities , 21 May

The government has announced a new Neighbourhood Guarantee aimed at improving the quality of life in villages, towns and cities by setting clear minimum standards for local public services. The initiative will focus on issues that matter most to residents, such as cleaner streets, safer communities, repaired potholes and better local services, while giving people more power to hold public bodies to account. The plans also include new Community Power Pilots in up to 25 areas, allowing residents, councils and community groups to help design local services and shape spending decisions in their neighbourhoods.

Employment lifeline for young people across the country as Government offers 300,000 new work experience and training placements , 29 May

The government has announced 300,000 new work experience placements and training opportunities as part of its wider Youth Guarantee programme, aimed at helping more young people into employment, education or training. The initiative includes work experience placements, employer-led training programmes and sector-based work academies, with a focus on supporting young people who are unemployed or at risk of becoming economically inactive. Ministers say the programme is designed to tackle rising youth unemployment, close skills gaps and give young people a clearer route into sustainable jobs and careers.

Energy security, jobs and investment boost through climate action , 2 June

The government has announced plans to boost energy security, economic growth and job creation through increased investment in clean energy and climate action. Ministers argue that expanding domestic renewable energy, low-carbon technologies and green infrastructure will reduce the UK's reliance on volatile international fossil fuel markets while attracting private investment, supporting regional growth and creating thousands of skilled jobs. The announcement forms part of the government's wider strategy to deliver net zero and strengthen the UK's long-term energy resilience and economic competitiveness.

Check out all Events via the website, here. 

We've highlighted events coming up that we think you might like. Please follow the links to register.

LSE, 11 June

The macroeconomic case for investing in climate adaptation

The Macroeconomic Case for Investing in Climate Adaptation event will launch new research examining the economic and fiscal risks posed by climate change and the benefits of investing in adaptation and resilience measures. Bringing together policymakers, economists and climate experts, the discussion will explore evidence showing that early investment in climate adaptation can strengthen economic stability, reduce long-term costs, support development and help governments manage growing climate-related risks to public finances and economic growth.

Lancaster University, 23 June

Work and Health Summit 2026, Tuesday 23 June, 9:30am

The Work and Health Summit 2026, hosted by Lancaster University’s Work Foundation, will bring together policymakers, employers, academics and health experts to discuss how more people with health conditions can be supported to stay in work or return to employment. The event will focus on the growing challenge of health-related economic inactivity, exploring the role of employers, government policy and workplace practices in improving workforce health, boosting labour market participation and supporting sustainable economic growth.