Employment

Narrative

The world of work is changing. An acceleration of technology is changing the way we work; from the wide-ranging potential of AI to the continuation of remote working for many and the growth of the “gig” economy. This presents both challenges and opportunities. Ingeus who deliver Restart in Barnet tell us that they see AI is an opportunity, using machine learning in POWER BI to help analyse profiles, provide action plans and to create CVs and covering letters, improving service efficiency.

As we develop our plans for the new world of work, we remain closely aligned to the London Councils’ vision for Employment and Skills Devolution, including designing a more personalised, human centred approach, easier navigation of the system for Londoners, a good job (not just any job), greater co-ordination and co-investment with employers and support for a transparent employment and skills system that is evidence led.

When it comes to evidence, the data for employment and the economy is fascinating and essential to understanding the real picture, and to help us develop targeted responses. However, this does not tell the whole story as so many things are happening in the background that are not picked up by the data; or there is nuance around the data that needs to be understood.

For example, ‘Economically Inactive’ includes those in full time education, retired people, full time carers and those who are unable to work due to health issues. It is therefore difficult to pinpoint reasons for trends and changed %s for this group. With low numbers of NEETs in Barnet, we know that the majority of under 24 year olds who are not working are at school or college. For older groups we have seen evidence of people taking early retirement and nationally there is an increase in those on long-term sick and/or dependent on health-related benefits. Supporting people who are not working due to health conditions is a priority nationally, and locally. There are additional resources provided by funding through initiatives including WorkWell and Work and Health Programme, and BOOST continue to prioritise specialist support for this group into employment.

Our priorities continue to be 1) the best possible opportunities for young residents, 2) connecting and providing support into work for the economically Inactive who are furthest from the labour market, and 3) help for low-income workers. Unemployed and economically inactive residents aged 50+ are also a shared priority with DWP.

In Barnet higher levels of unemployment and economic inactivity are concentrated in areas of highest deprivation, including West Hendon, Burnt Oak and Colindale. We are working towards providing targeted and locally available support in those areas where more residents need it.

Unemployed residents face a broad range of barriers to work. Access to childcare continues to be a major barrier to employment in Barnet (and elsewhere), and it remains to be seen how recent government pledges will enable more parents to return to work. There continues to be a shortage of childminders and we will work with DWP to promote this sector to local jobseekers with supported pathways into jobs. Parents of children aged nine months to three years old are now entitled to 30 hours a week of free childcare, and this increased demand for is expected to result in approximately 40,000 extra vacancies in the sector by September 2025.

A high demand for English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) continues to grow, in part due to a growing number of refugees living in the borough. We are working with Barnet and Southgate College and other partners to provide a flexible and accessible ESOL offer for all those who need it.

Digital inclusion (and exclusion) remains a key component of effective employment support with many residents still lacking basic digital skills and/or access to devices and connectivity. BOOST and our libraries service host training and access to free devices and affordable connectivity.

We continue to focus our attention on high growth sectors of employment. This includes construction, creative industries and health and social care. Health and social care is a significant growth sector in Barnet with an aging population and many new care homes opening in the borough. BOOST and the council are working to support the sector to recruit, with additional resource provided by the Mayor Academy and working directly with providers to offer improved wages and terms and conditions to staff. However, Jobcentre Plus in Barnet report that this continues to be a very challenging sector to recruit to.

Construction has and will always provide large volumes of jobs and apprenticeships across the borough, and we aim to support priority groups (including care leavers) to benefit from the opportunities that the industry provides. Working together, large contractors, The Skills Centre and BOOST are aiming to offer a well-connected pathway from career awareness events, through skills training and into jobs and apprenticeships.

Our main regeneration project in the borough, Brent Cross Town is also close to being able to host their own local recruitment service, linking hundreds of jobs generated by the project with residents through local partnerships.

We work closely with DWP and the Jobcentres in Barnet and regularly launch joint interventions, along with Barnet and Southgate College. DWP report that their experience in Barnet has been positive, and that they have made some strong connections with the Council, BOOST, youth hubs, leaving care services (BELS), as well as employers, charities and education partners. Our aim is the provision of targeted and specialist services through partnerships to ensure that the right support is accessible by everyone.

Ingeus (Restart) are focusing on longer term plans now that the programme has been extended for a further 2 years. They have also benefited from a close relationship with the council in Barnet, and performance remains in the top 3 in London. To maintain effective delivery, they are consulting with DWP on pricing and referral volumes to this mandatory programme. They are expanding into the world of Health & Employment and work towards launch of a new programme soon.

Ingeus also sight the unusual geography of Barnet and transport links as issues, especially for participants who rely on public transport.

We will continue to monitor the data and aim to develop effective programmes of support that connect residents with skills providers and employers to provide great outcomes.

Unemployment and economic inactivity

In 2025/26, 22.8% of Barnet's 16-64 years population was economically inactive. This is a 2% increase compared to 2024/25. This is higher than both England and London average (~20.0%).
The unemployment rate in those aged 16 or over in 2025/26 in Barnet was 5.9%, an increase from the 4.6% rate seen in 2024/25. The 2025/26 Barnet unemployment rate is higher than the England average of 4.6% but below the London average of 6.2%.
Unemployment is currently higher in women (6.6%) than men (3.7%) in Barnet.

Industry

The most represented job sector among the Barnet population is healthcare, where currently 16.1% of Barnet's full-time employees work. This is a higher proportion than both the London and England average.
In 2024, the education, retail, and health sectors collectively accounted for almost 50% of part-time employment in Barnet.
On the other hand, employment in sales and customer service occupations saw a notable increase in Barnet, rising by almost 6% from the preceding reporting period (3.3%) to the latest one (9.2%).
The property industry is large in Barnet, employing 9% of Barnet's full- and part-time employees, which is more than double the regional and national average.

Pay

Median annual pay has increased in Barnet since 2019, following the regional and national trend.
In 2025, the median gross annual pay of full time workers in Barnet was £47,141 - this ranks 14th amongst the London boroughs and is above the London (£46,676) and England average (£39,243).
Median gross annual full-time worker pay is higher in men (£49,00) than women (£43,791) in Barnet in 2025. The female median pay is higher than the London female average whilst the male median is below the London male average.
Part-time median gross annual pay in Barnet is £12,224 - this is below both the London and England average (£14,600 for both).

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a living cost support for each low-income or out-of-work household
The rate of households on universal credit per 10,000 has increase since 2018 across Barnet, London and England. In May 2026, 2,760 per 10,000 households in Barnet were on Universal Credit - this is below the London average (2,970 per 10,000) but above England (2,350 per 10,000).
In May 2026 at the LSOA level in Barnet, Barnet 042B in Colindale North ward had the highest number of households on Universal Credit at 578. Barnet 033B in Garden Suburb ward has the lowest number at 10.
Residents who are aged 50-64 years or female in Barnet were most likely to claim Universal Credit, the most comprehensive living support for low-income or jobless households, within the 12 months spanning from June 2023 to June 2024.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Residents aged 50-64 years make up the highest proportion of claimants of Employment and Support Allowance, an income replacement benefit for individuals below state pension age whose health conditions or disabilities impede their capacity to work.
The top disability types amongst Barnet residents claiming ESA were Mental and Behavioural, Musculoskeletal, Nervous, and Circulatory.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payment is a benefit for those with long term disability or ill health.
Similarly to ESA, Barnet residents aged 50-64 years make up the highest amount of PIP claimants. In Jan-Mar 2026, 9.4% of those aged 50-64 in Barnet claim PIP, which is lower than both the London average (11.2%) and England average (11.5%) amongst this age group.
The top disability types amongst Barnet residents claiming PIP were Psychiatric, Musculoskeletal, and Respiratory.

Carer's Allowance

Carer's Allowance is a benefit for carers aged 16 or over "who look after a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week".
In Barnet, residents aged 35-49 make up the highest number of Carer's Allowance claimants.
Women make up a much higher amount of Barnet claimants, representing 72% of Carer's Allowance claimants in Jan-Mar 2026.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a benefit for the people aged 65 and over with severe physical or mental disability who need considerable help with personal care or supervision.
In Barnet, 45% of those aged 90 years or older are Attendance Allowance claimants in Jan-Mar 2026, which is slightly below the London average (50%) and England average (51%).
More women claim than men in Barnet, with 14.3% of women aged 65 or over in Barnet in Jan-Mar 2026 claiming compared to 9.5% of men; a similar pattern is seen regionally and nationally.