ERSA seeks to engage with parliamentarians, key decisions makers and influential bodies at a local and national level to ensure employment support services work for all; jobseekers, employers and support providers.

ERSA has a strong presence in Westminister, Holyrood and the devolved parliaments, regularly engaging with MPs, MSPs and AMs to provide accurate information on employment support provision in their local constituencies, and arranging visits where possible. We aim to ensure there is a high standard of debate amongst parliamentarians, using up to date figures on the performance of the sector and putting forward policy proposals and recommendations, derived from the front line of our members’ service delivery.

ERSA aims to:

• Increase awareness and support for the employment support sector amongst new and existing parliamentarians, officials and other influencing bodies. 
• Build influential relationships with decision makers on the design and delivery of employment support provision, including the development of future commissioning for mainstream national provision, ESF funded programmes, youth employment programmes and provision in Scotland and devolved areas including Greater Manchester.
• Position ERSA and the sector as the ‘go to’ body for future policymaking related to employment support provision, as well as proactively shaping what comes next.

ERSA holds fringe events at party political conferences, provides evidence to government Select Committees, including the Work and Pensions Select Committee and other parliamentary committees, including the Welsh Affairs Committee and a Scottish Parliament. We host a series of roundtables for members with parliamentarians on a range of specialist subjects and have regular one to one meetings with selects MPs and Peers at Westminster.

To find out more or to get involved email Matt Byrne, Public Affairs Officer, 020 3757 9416 matt.byrne@ersa.org.uk.