Get Surrey Working Plan
The Get Surrey Working Plan is a bold cross-county plan to bring thousands of people back into work in Surrey.
We’re working with government, business and health leaders to make this change happen.
What is the Get Surrey Working Plan?
The Get Surrey Working Plan sets out how partners in Surrey will support thousands of Surrey residents into employment.
It forms part of the national Get Britain Working Plan, which looks to achieve an 80% employment rate across the whole of the UK.
In autumn 2025 there were 26,900 people in Surrey that want to work but are not currently in employment.
Our plan focuses on interventions to support these residents, focusing on key areas of deprivation and key cohorts facing barriers to employment.
Making it easier and simpler for people to access employment and skills support is central to that work – and that’s where STEP Surrey comes in.
Download the Get Surrey Working Plan
Six challenges to tackle in the Get Surrey Working Plan
Exclusion
Too many people are excluded from the labour market – especially those with health conditions, caring responsibilities or lower skill levels.
Young people
Too many young people leave school without essential skills or quality further learning so they can thrive at the start of their career.
Low-paying work
Too many people are stuck in insecure, poor quality work, which contributes to a weaker economy and health and wellbeing.
Women
Too many women who care for their families still experience challenges staying in and progressing in work.
Vacancies
Too many employers cannot fill their vacancies due to labour and skills shortages, which restricts growth.
Equal outcomes
There is too great a disparity in labour market outcomes between different places and for different groups of people.
The Surrey context
Surrey is an area of many economic strengths, a dynamic innovative region with more than 110,000 businesses and a highly skilled workforce.
But past achievements are no guarantee of future success.
There are also strategic challenges facing economic growth – the cost of housing, transport, cost of childcare and close links to London.
We also know there are thousands of Surrey residents who struggle with poverty, poor physical and mental health, worklessness, alcohol and substance abuse, and domestic abuse.
As part of our No One Left Behind mission, we will look to focus our work on targeting support to those who need it most – bringing talented workers closer to growing businesses so that everyone can succeed.
Download the Get Surrey Working Plan
Key stats
131,000
people in Surrey of working age are not in employment
26,900
of those currently out of work in Surrey want to work
28,000
households with children in Surrey are now on Universal Credit
2,945
unemployment claimants in Surrey aged between 16 and 24
Latest figures from autumn 2025
25.1%
Chart showing the gender pay gap in Surrey between women and men
11.8%
Chart showing percentage of people with learning difficulties that are in employment
3 main reasons Surrey residents are out of work
Full-time education
30.6% are at school, college or university
Health conditions
20.4% have long-term health conditions
Carers
19.3% are carers for family and friends
Get Surrey Working Plan: a partnership approach
The Get Surrey Working Plan is built on a system-wide, cross-cutting approach.
This means it has been developed by a range of organisations, including government, public health, Jobcentre Plus, Surrey Chambers of Commerce, employment support providers and others.
It links into the refreshed Economic Growth Strategy 2025 to 2035 which sets out the county’s vision and priorities. It is also guided by the Local Skills Improvement Plan, developed in partnership by Surrey Chambers of Commerce and Surrey County Council.
Growing the economy is one of four priorities for Surrey County Council, which are key to achieving its mission of ensuring No One is Left Behind.
Download the Get Surrey Working Plan