The Department does not make the most of local authorities’ and employers’ in depth knowledge of local needs and priorities. Experts such as local authorities and employers have in-depth knowledge of local needs and priorities that can make employment support programmes more effective. However, the Department is not using local expertise to the extent that it could, and risks a disconnect between its national view and local stakeholders’ priorities. Local authorities value their relationship with the Department and local jobcentres, but have also experienced a lack of clarity on the links between employment and skills provision nationally, short-notice changes to the Department’s policy and programmes, and inconsistent engagement with the Department. The Department does not share its ‘district provision tool’, which lists the employment support provision available within local areas, with local partners, meaning that local partners cannot identify gaps in provision or duplication of effort. The Local Government Association considers that a more localised approach would deliver better outcomes by targeting all funding streams at local communities’ needs, while the Co-op group calls for a more collaborative approach between businesses, local education providers and the government. Recommendation: The Department should seek regular structured feedback from local authorities and employers on its employment support and: • Involve them in the design and commissioning of schemes; • Publish its district provision tool so others can see and comment on and complement the range of local provision; and • Ensure its employment support meets the needs of the local economy. 8 DWP Employment support