Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Written Statement of 5 November 2025 on Keep Britain Working Review: Government Response, HCWS1020, whether the Vanguard phase will include involvement with representative trade unions.

Following publication of Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working review report on 5 November, we welcome his findings and recommendations. Employers have a vital role, and we are committed to working alongside employees and employers to 'Keep Britain Working’, reforming the system and shifting our focus from welfare to work, skills, and opportunities.

Trade Unions fed into the review throughout and we plan to continue engagement with them and other representative groups through the implementation of the Vanguard Phase.

We are pleased that Sir Charlie has agreed to continue this work in partnership with DWP, DBT and DHSC. We are immediately launching Vanguards to test new employer-led approaches to support individuals to stay in work. Over 70 businesses and 6 regions, giving access to their employer networks, have already expressed an interest to be involved and support the next stage of the review.