Think tank proposes turning Jobcentres into new ‘third spaces’ to break the stigma of job-seeking – complete with kitchens, nurseries and classrooms

The Autonomy Institute has outlined new plans to turn Jobcentres into ‘third spaces’ where service users can access skills training, financial advice and childcare – as well as support into work.

With the Labour government committed to modernising the UK’s employment support infrastructure, the think tank proposes a bold vision reimagining Jobcentres as ‘vibrant hubs’ of support, opportunity, and connection grounded in empowerment – rather than the current focus on control and compliance.

Polling by Survation for the New Economics Foundation (NEF) in 2023 found that 73% thought their first Jobcentre meeting was focused on talking about the rules they had to follow, while 59% felt the Jobcentre wanted to get them into any job, as soon as possible, regardless of how good a fit a role was for them.

By developing environments that are accessible and functional, and becoming hubs where people can connect, learn, and access support, authors of the new briefing argue that revitalised Jobcentres could therefore play a central role in ‘bridging the gaps’ between work, home, and community, moving beyond a focus on ‘employment at all costs’.

Making Jobcentres places users ‘want to visit’ rather than simply ‘need to attend’ will mean incorporating childcare facilities, cafes, meeting rooms, and co-working areas – as well as design features such as natural light, greenery, comfortable seating, and vibrant colours to create a welcoming atmosphere.

The briefing suggests Jobcentres offer:

- Mental health support

- Skills development and training

- Financial advice and support

- Community engagement

Growing interest and experimentation with policies that move towards universality and unconditionality – such as Universal Basic Income (UBI) or a Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) – needs to be accompanied by a rethinking of the physical infrastructures and interfaces of the welfare system, the report’s authors argue.

Julian Siravo, Director at the Autonomy Institute and the briefing’s co-author, said:

“This is not just about modernising buildings – it’s about rethinking how Jobcentres approach their users. As we build a welfare system that moves towards universality and unconditionality, and away from control and compliance, we will need to build infrastructure to match.”

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

The Autonomy Institute is an independent research organisation which creates data-driven tools and research for sustainable economic planning.

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Jack Kellam, Head of Communications. Email: jack@autonomy.work Tel: +44 7710177201

- Report available here: https://autonomy.work/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Transforming-Employment-and-Support-Infrastructure_.pdf

- Fig. 1 – 'A potential design for the new and improved employment services infrastructure', see image.

- NEF polling on Jobcentre users (2023): https://neweconomics.org/2023/08/majority-of-those-required-to-attend-jobcentres-say-fear-of-benefit-sanctions-undermines-their-prospects-of-finding-good-work

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