HM Treasury 8
                                              27 November 1997
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       EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL - A NEW APPROACH

A five-point plan to meet the challenges of a changing labour
market has been set out in a paper published today by Chancellor
Gordon Brown and Secretary of State for Education and Employment
David Blunkett.

The paper sets out the agenda for a new approach - Employment
Opportunity For All - for investing in skills, moving people from 
welfare to work and making work pay. It provides a background to
the Government's reform of the tax and benefit system, analysing
the problems and challenges facing Britain today.


The Chancellor said:


     "We need a new approach - Employment Opportunity For All -
to face the    challenges of today's dynamic labour market,
creating a modern definition of full employment for the 21st
century. 

     "The paper we are publishing today sets out this agenda. It
highlights five vital elements needed if Britain is to meet
today's challenges:

          * a framework for macroeconomic stability;

          * a flexible and adaptable labour market, underpinned 
            by  minimum standards;
     
          * skilled and adaptable people;

          * policies which encourage people to move from welfare 
            to work; 

          * a tax and benefit system that makes work pay.


     "A different and radical way of thinking deserves open
discussion - that is why I am opening the debate up to everyone
who has a view as part of my Pre-  Budget Report debate."




Mr Blunkett said:

     
     "The old approach focused solely on creating the right
economic conditions for  businesses to invest and create new
jobs. Our new approach recognises that we    must also focus on
the skills and education needs of each individual so that   
people can improve their employability and take advantage of the
job opportunities that will be available as we enter the
new century."



The paper - "Employment Opportunity for All" - is the first of
a series entitled "The Modernisation of Britain's Tax and Benefit
System".  The Government intends to publish other documents,
marking the staging posts on the road to reform.  The paper:

-    shows the changing experience of individuals and families
     in the labour market as we enter the 21st century - in
     particular it looks at those excluded from work, or in low
     paid jobs, or subject to a cycle of both low pay and
     unemployment;

-    identifies how changes in the broader economy and society
     have affected the labour market - from trends in technology
     and trade; from changes in society; and from the
     organisation of work;

-    reaffirms the commitment to high and stable levels of
     employment - making the case for a new approach to tax,
     benefit and employment policy that reflects the realities
     of the new labour market, and the problems it faces;

-    looks critically at where we stand on the key criteria for
     a successful labour market - macroeconomic stability,
     flexibility, employability and skills, and at whether work
     pays;

-    sets out the policy initiatives that will support this
     agenda; including reform of the tax and benefit system. 



Press copies of the document can be obtained from HM Treasury
press office. Non-media copies can be obtained from HM Treasury
public enquiry office.
              
       

HM TREASURY PRESS OFFICE
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