A significant shift in the UK workforce is on the horizon, with a major new government survey revealing a widespread desire for career change driven by a search for purpose.
Survey Reveals Workforce Restlessness
The poll, conducted by the Labour Party government's Ministry of Justice and announced on 9 January 2026, found that more than one in three (39 per cent) working-age adults across England and Wales plan to change jobs in the next 12 months. This statistic points to a period of considerable movement and reassessment in the national labour market.
Perhaps more tellingly, the research uncovered the primary motivation behind this planned exodus. Over three quarters (78 per cent) of those looking to switch roles stated they want a position where they can make a positive difference to others. This highlights a growing trend where employees value societal impact alongside financial remuneration.
Government Launches 'Extraordinary Job' Campaign
In response to these findings, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy is spearheading a new Government recruitment drive, directly appealing to this search for meaningful work. The initiative, dubbed the 'Extraordinary Job' campaign, is promoting careers within the prison and probation services.
The campaign features brand-new television adverts that showcase the reality of working in these sectors. They emphasise the daily challenges, essential teamwork, and the profound opportunity to enact real change in people's lives and communities.
"People across the country are looking for more than just a pay packet - they want purpose," stated Deputy PM Lammy. "In our prisons and probation service, that purpose is clear: helping people rebuild their lives, reducing reoffending and making our communities safer."
A Call to 'Help Keep Britain Safe'
Lammy framed these roles as some of the most vital yet overlooked careers in Britain. He highlighted the dual impact of the work, which involves giving individuals a second chance while also preventing future crime and victimisation.
"Every day, prison and probation officers perform some of the most vital – and often most overlooked work in Britain," he said. "They give people a second chance and help stop others becoming victims in the first place."
His direct appeal to job seekers was unequivocal: "So if you’re searching for a new direction this year, I’d urge you to consider one of these extraordinary careers. You’ll be making a real difference where it matters most." The drive explicitly connects the public's desire for purposeful work with the critical need to fill frontline roles in justice and rehabilitation.
The survey results and the subsequent campaign launch indicate a strategic move by the government to align its recruitment needs with the evolving priorities of the UK workforce, where a sense of contribution is becoming as important as a salary.
