Croydon Council is continuing its lead on a Greater London Authority (GLA)-funded job scheme, with the Connect to Work
programme set to support over 4,500 residents across South London. Approximately half of these individuals are expected to be Croydon residents.
The programme is designed to support residents in moving into sustained, meaningful employment. It specifically targets economically inactive residents, including disabled individuals, those with long-term health conditions, and others facing complex barriers to employment. The programme also aims to support those at risk of losing their jobs, enabling them to retain employment and avoid falling out of the labour market.
The Cabinet of Croydon Council met on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, to approve updated funding arrangements for the programme. From April 2026, funding will transfer from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to the GLA via an Integrated Settlement. The GLA has confirmed a funding total of £14.4 million from April 2026 to March 2029 for the South London Partnership Connect to Work programme. This mirrors the agreement in place with the DWP, ensuring no spend from council budgets. The programme remains fully externally funded.
Councillor Jeet Bains, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, confirmed that the delivery model and outcomes of the programme remain unchanged. The programme is fully externally funded, with no cost to the Council.
Councillor Chris Clarke, Shadow Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, welcomed the programme and sought confirmation on data publication frequency and success targets. Officers assured that this information would be provided quarterly. The programme aims to support over 4,500 residents across the South London Partnership, with approximately half expected to be Croydon residents. The delivery model and outcomes remain unchanged, and the programme is fully externally funded with no cost to the Council. Officers assured that data on participation and outcomes would be provided quarterly, and that targets are set by DWP, which have moved to the GLA, and those do not change.
The programme is due to run until March 2030, however, the GLA cannot commit to funds for the final financial year until the next spending review. To mitigate the risk this presents to the final year's funding, the Council has added break clauses to all contracts with providers ensuring no additional costs to the Council and South London Partnership boroughs.
Further details on the programme can be found in the CTW GLA Cabinet Report Final V3.