an article by Del Roy Fletcher (Sheffield Hallam University, UK) published in Journal of Poverty and Social Justice Volume 27 Number 3 (October 2019)
Abstract
A post-industrial ‘precariat’ has emerged characterised by social insecurity to which the state’s response has been to secure habituation to insecure labour.
This article provides new empirical evidence regarding how the precariat encounter and experience the reformed welfare delivery system. It seeks to explore theoretically whether the precariat is being ‘activated’ and/or ‘civilised’.
The author finds that the primary role of Jobcentre Plus is to assess whether the unemployed are ‘active’. This has been interpreted by Marxist scholars as a class disciplinary project which renders labour more dependent upon precarious work.
However, the evidence presented here suggests that an inappropriate white-collar model of support combined with sanctions frequently results in ill-discipline and disentitlement from benefits.
Furthermore, support cannot be conceptualised as a ‘civilising offensive’ because it is not a deliberate and targeted attempt at inculcating ‘civilised’ behaviour.
Moreover, rather than enforcing the norms of civilised behaviour it drives many into destitution and crime.
Full text (PDF 15pp)
Showing posts with label DWP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DWP. Show all posts
Monday, 4 November 2019
Tuesday, 22 January 2019
Is the DWP capable of moulding itself to a radical new agenda?
a post by Hettie O'Brien for DEMOS
Government reports rarely become bestsellers. But large queues formed on the night before the publication of William Beveridge’s 300-page survey of social insurance. His report shaped the post-war consensus and laid the foundations for our modern welfare system. It invoked a simple premise: it was better to share risk across society.
The Beveridge report hastened a radical consensus around welfare provision for an age of male breadwinners, full employment and economic growth. Its designers could not foresee present-day challenges. Ageing populations, the rise in short-term employment contracts and in-work poverty have transfigured welfare needs. But modern governments have failed to deliver a radical agenda to parallel Beveridge’s vision.
The Conservative government and its predecessors promised transformation, yet their changes have amounted to little more than palliative tweaks. Universal credit and the replacement of incapacity benefit with ESA caused more harm than good. Poverty levels remain unacceptably high. The disability employment gap has not decreased. And a punitive regime of benefit conditionality has regularly left many people destitute.
Continue reading but I warn you that it is not comfortable reading.
Government reports rarely become bestsellers. But large queues formed on the night before the publication of William Beveridge’s 300-page survey of social insurance. His report shaped the post-war consensus and laid the foundations for our modern welfare system. It invoked a simple premise: it was better to share risk across society.
The Beveridge report hastened a radical consensus around welfare provision for an age of male breadwinners, full employment and economic growth. Its designers could not foresee present-day challenges. Ageing populations, the rise in short-term employment contracts and in-work poverty have transfigured welfare needs. But modern governments have failed to deliver a radical agenda to parallel Beveridge’s vision.
The Conservative government and its predecessors promised transformation, yet their changes have amounted to little more than palliative tweaks. Universal credit and the replacement of incapacity benefit with ESA caused more harm than good. Poverty levels remain unacceptably high. The disability employment gap has not decreased. And a punitive regime of benefit conditionality has regularly left many people destitute.
Continue reading but I warn you that it is not comfortable reading.
Wednesday, 7 August 2013
Lone Parent Obligations: an impact assessment
A report of research carried out by the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER), University of Essex, on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions
DWP Research Report No 845
Summary
This report presents findings from an impact assessment of Lone Parent Obligations (LPO). LPO was introduced in November 2008 and since then lone parents have lost eligibility to Income Support (IS), based on the age of their youngest child, solely on the grounds of being a lone parent. In May 2012, the age of the youngest child was reduced to five and over.
The impact assessment is part of a comprehensive evaluation of LPO that has explored whether and how lone parent employment interventions provide an effective incentive to look for paid employment, alongside an effective package of support for workless lone parents to enable them to find, enter and sustain paid employment. The impact assessment quantifies the impact of LPO by providing estimates of how many lone parents were moved off out of-work benefits and into work as a result of LPO. It examines the impact of LPO on lone parents in the earlier phases of LPO, who lost entitlement to IS between November 2008 and the end of June 2011, at a time when their youngest child was at least seven-years-old.
The impact assessment found that LPO has had a much greater impact on moving lone parents into work than other previous Departmental employment programmes and initiatives aimed at lone parents. Three months after the loss of IS entitlement, LPO is estimated to have reduced the share of lone parents receiving any out-of-work benefit by between 11 and 13 percentage points, and to have increased the share in work by around 7 percentage points. Nine months after, the share receiving any out-of-work benefit had fallen further, to between a 13 and 16 percentage point reduction, and the share in work had increased to between eight and ten percentage points.
The focus of the impact assessment is on movement off benefit and into work, among those claiming IS. It does not account for the impact on new or repeat lone parent claimants, which was beyond the scope of this analysis.
Full text (PDF 101pp)
DWP Research Report No 845
Summary
This report presents findings from an impact assessment of Lone Parent Obligations (LPO). LPO was introduced in November 2008 and since then lone parents have lost eligibility to Income Support (IS), based on the age of their youngest child, solely on the grounds of being a lone parent. In May 2012, the age of the youngest child was reduced to five and over.
The impact assessment is part of a comprehensive evaluation of LPO that has explored whether and how lone parent employment interventions provide an effective incentive to look for paid employment, alongside an effective package of support for workless lone parents to enable them to find, enter and sustain paid employment. The impact assessment quantifies the impact of LPO by providing estimates of how many lone parents were moved off out of-work benefits and into work as a result of LPO. It examines the impact of LPO on lone parents in the earlier phases of LPO, who lost entitlement to IS between November 2008 and the end of June 2011, at a time when their youngest child was at least seven-years-old.
The impact assessment found that LPO has had a much greater impact on moving lone parents into work than other previous Departmental employment programmes and initiatives aimed at lone parents. Three months after the loss of IS entitlement, LPO is estimated to have reduced the share of lone parents receiving any out-of-work benefit by between 11 and 13 percentage points, and to have increased the share in work by around 7 percentage points. Nine months after, the share receiving any out-of-work benefit had fallen further, to between a 13 and 16 percentage point reduction, and the share in work had increased to between eight and ten percentage points.
The focus of the impact assessment is on movement off benefit and into work, among those claiming IS. It does not account for the impact on new or repeat lone parent claimants, which was beyond the scope of this analysis.
Full text (PDF 101pp)
Wednesday, 24 July 2013
Understanding Employment Barriers for Lone Parents in Great Britain: Research Gaps and Missed Opportunities
an article by Tina Haux (University of Lincoln, UK) published in Social Policy & Administration Volume 47 Issue 4 (August 2013)
Abstract
A key feature of the previous Labour government in Britain was the large increase in government-sponsored research as part of its wider commitment to evidence-based policy-making.
This article focuses on one area of government-sponsored research as a case study to examine the relationship between research evidence, policy ideas and programme evaluation. The case study chosen for this article is research on lone parents not in work commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions between 1997 and 2010.
Following a brief review of the research, the main shortcomings in our understanding of the employment barriers for lone parents as well as the reasons for these shortcomings are identified and discussed. The reasons explaining the lack of progress are related to both the content of the research as well as the institutional set-up of research commissioning in government.
The article concludes by drawing lessons from this case study to improve the quality and potential usefulness of research for policy-making in the short and medium term.
Abstract
A key feature of the previous Labour government in Britain was the large increase in government-sponsored research as part of its wider commitment to evidence-based policy-making.
This article focuses on one area of government-sponsored research as a case study to examine the relationship between research evidence, policy ideas and programme evaluation. The case study chosen for this article is research on lone parents not in work commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions between 1997 and 2010.
Following a brief review of the research, the main shortcomings in our understanding of the employment barriers for lone parents as well as the reasons for these shortcomings are identified and discussed. The reasons explaining the lack of progress are related to both the content of the research as well as the institutional set-up of research commissioning in government.
The article concludes by drawing lessons from this case study to improve the quality and potential usefulness of research for policy-making in the short and medium term.
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
The Youth Contract: Findings from research with Jobcentre Plus staff in five case study districts
DWP research Report 833 (April 2013) by Lizzie Jordan and Andrew Thomas (TSN BMRB)
The Youth Contract was launched in April 2012 to provide additional support for unemployed young people between the ages of 18 and 24, including:
The evaluation of the Youth Contract consists of a mixed methods approach, including impact assessments carried out in-house, as well as externally commissioned research involving interviews and surveys with staff, claimants, employers and Work Programme providers.
The first report from the evaluation on early findings from research on wage incentives can be found here: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/report_abstracts/rr_abstracts/rra_828.asp
This latest report provides feedback on the implementation and delivery of the Youth Contract, based on interviews and focus groups with advisers; adviser and office managers; employer engagement and partnership staff; and District Managers, in five Jobcentre Plus case study districts. Discussions also explored specific elements of the Youth Contract including additional adviser support, work experience, sector-based work academies and the wage incentive (two of the case studies included a ‘hotspot area’ eligible for the wage incentive).
Interviews were carried out in November 2012, around 3 months after wage incentives had been introduced in the ‘hotspot’ areas. Since the research was carried out the wage incentive scheme has been rolled-out to all Jobcentres for young 18-24 year old claimants from 6 months of their claim (from 17 December 2012).
DWP has used findings from the research to inform continuous improvement activity for delivering the Youth Contract. This includes:
Full report (PDF 40pp)
The Youth Contract was launched in April 2012 to provide additional support for unemployed young people between the ages of 18 and 24, including:
- more intensive support from Jobcentre Plus advisers;
- additional funding for up to 250,000 work experience and sector-based work academies (sbwa) placements; and
- a wage incentive of up to £2,275 for employers recruiting a young person who has been claiming for over six months or is attached to the Work Programme.
The evaluation of the Youth Contract consists of a mixed methods approach, including impact assessments carried out in-house, as well as externally commissioned research involving interviews and surveys with staff, claimants, employers and Work Programme providers.
The first report from the evaluation on early findings from research on wage incentives can be found here: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/report_abstracts/rr_abstracts/rra_828.asp
This latest report provides feedback on the implementation and delivery of the Youth Contract, based on interviews and focus groups with advisers; adviser and office managers; employer engagement and partnership staff; and District Managers, in five Jobcentre Plus case study districts. Discussions also explored specific elements of the Youth Contract including additional adviser support, work experience, sector-based work academies and the wage incentive (two of the case studies included a ‘hotspot area’ eligible for the wage incentive).
Interviews were carried out in November 2012, around 3 months after wage incentives had been introduced in the ‘hotspot’ areas. Since the research was carried out the wage incentive scheme has been rolled-out to all Jobcentres for young 18-24 year old claimants from 6 months of their claim (from 17 December 2012).
DWP has used findings from the research to inform continuous improvement activity for delivering the Youth Contract. This includes:
- a wide range of marketing activities, including a media campaign for the wage incentive scheme linked to the extension of eligibility
- continuing to set up mechanisms to share learning and good practice amongst Jobcentre Plus districts, given the increased flexibility and responsibility they have to provide individually-tailored services and support to claimants more widely (through the Jobcentre Plus Offer).
Full report (PDF 40pp)
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
Reforms to the welfare system begin
Department for Work & Pensions press release on 28 March
April heralds a number of changes to the benefits system as part of the Government’s welfare reforms.
These changes will make work pay, improve support for disabled people, and help ensure the benefit system is financially sustainable in the future, whilst still supporting those who need it.
The changes are:
April heralds a number of changes to the benefits system as part of the Government’s welfare reforms.
These changes will make work pay, improve support for disabled people, and help ensure the benefit system is financially sustainable in the future, whilst still supporting those who need it.
The changes are:
- April 1 – Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy: Working-age tenants in the social sector will receive Housing Benefit for the number of bedrooms their household needs, bringing the rules in line with the private sector. Housing Benefit will no longer pay for spare bedrooms.
- April 1 – Crisis loans and community grants replaced by local provision: The full funding for this will be given to local authorities or devolved governments, who are best placed to ensure this money goes to those who need it the most.
- April 8 – Personal Independence Payment introduced: New claims for PIP will start with the Bootle benefit centre. Bootle will handle the claims from areas including Merseyside, North West England, Cumbria, Cheshire and North-East England. PIP replaces Disability Living Allowance for working-age claimants.
- April 8 – Benefit Uprating: The State Pension will increase by 2.5% because of the triple lock. Working-age benefits and tax credits will be uprated by 1 per cent. Disability benefits will continue to be uprated in line with inflation.
- April 15 – Benefit cap: Households on out-of-work benefits will no longer receive more than the average weekly wage after tax and National Insurance. To begin with, this rolls out in four London boroughs, and then nationally in the summer. Those on Disability Living Allowance and Working Tax Credits will be exempted.
- End of April – Universal Credit rolls out in pathfinder areas: Some new claimants will receive Universal Credit, which is replacing the six main out-of-work benefits to simplify the benefits system and make work pay.
Tuesday, 12 February 2013
Provider-led Pathways to Work – Net impacts on employment and benefits
DWP Working Paper No. 113 by Genevieve Knight, Sergio Salis, Francesca Francavilla, Dragos Radu, Debra Hevenstone, Elisabetta Mocca and Brittainy Tousley (Policy Studies Institute)
This is the final in a series of evaluation reports examining the Provider Led Pathways to Work. This research was part of a comprehensive evaluation of the Provider-Led Pathways commissioned by DWP in 2008 to provide an independent assessment of the programme’s implementation, claimants’ experiences and outcomes.
The main objective of this impact study was to assess whether Provider Led Pathways helped more incapacity benefits customers move into work or leave benefit than would have done otherwise. The impact analysis was conducted using administrative data (Incapacity Benefits claims and HMRC employment records) and data collected from two large scale telephone surveys with 2007 and 2008 incapacity benefit claimants living in Provider Led Pathways areas and in matched comparison areas which did not have the Provider Led Pathways to provide the counter-factual of not participating in this programme. On average, interviews were conducted 14 months after the claim for benefits.
The learning and experience from the Pathways to Work programme fed into the Work Programme’s design and delivery. The findings will also be incorporated in the evidence base for the disability employment strategy that DWP is looking to develop in 2013.
Previous DWP research reports relevant to the subject include:
Official Provider Led Pathways to Work statistics, including data on starts and job entries, can be found on the DWP statistics pages.
The final statistics on Provider-Led Pathways to Work produced by the Department for Work and Pensions were released on 25th October 2011.
Read the report (PDF 98pp) ISBN: 9-781-78153-168-6
This is the final in a series of evaluation reports examining the Provider Led Pathways to Work. This research was part of a comprehensive evaluation of the Provider-Led Pathways commissioned by DWP in 2008 to provide an independent assessment of the programme’s implementation, claimants’ experiences and outcomes.
The main objective of this impact study was to assess whether Provider Led Pathways helped more incapacity benefits customers move into work or leave benefit than would have done otherwise. The impact analysis was conducted using administrative data (Incapacity Benefits claims and HMRC employment records) and data collected from two large scale telephone surveys with 2007 and 2008 incapacity benefit claimants living in Provider Led Pathways areas and in matched comparison areas which did not have the Provider Led Pathways to provide the counter-factual of not participating in this programme. On average, interviews were conducted 14 months after the claim for benefits.
The learning and experience from the Pathways to Work programme fed into the Work Programme’s design and delivery. The findings will also be incorporated in the evidence base for the disability employment strategy that DWP is looking to develop in 2013.
Previous DWP research reports relevant to the subject include:
- Hayllar, O. and Wood, M. RR723 (January 2011)
- Tennant et al RR643 (July 2010)
- Hudson et al RR593 (July 2009)
- Nice at al RR595 (October 2009)
- Nice, K. Working Paper No 57 (January 2009)
Official Provider Led Pathways to Work statistics, including data on starts and job entries, can be found on the DWP statistics pages.
The final statistics on Provider-Led Pathways to Work produced by the Department for Work and Pensions were released on 25th October 2011.
Read the report (PDF 98pp) ISBN: 9-781-78153-168-6
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
Vulnerable claimants will get support they need under Universal Credit, Ministers tell select committee
via DWP press releases
Ministers reiterated their commitment to supporting vulnerable claimants in their response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee Report into Universal Credit today [4 February 2013].
At the same time they revealed that over one million households will get to keep more of their earnings from work than they do under the current system.
Continue reading
and please forgive my snorts of derision!
Ministers reiterated their commitment to supporting vulnerable claimants in their response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee Report into Universal Credit today [4 February 2013].
At the same time they revealed that over one million households will get to keep more of their earnings from work than they do under the current system.
Continue reading
and please forgive my snorts of derision!
DWP: Impact assessment on social security benefits uprating order 2013
What is the problem under consideration?
Why is government intervention necessary?
Welfare expenditure is a significant driver of public spending, and the Government has made a commitment to deliver a more sustainable welfare system. In the Autumn Statement (2012), it was announced that in light of the national economic situation, certain working-age social security benefits and payments, certain elements of tax credits, and Child Benefit, would be up-rated by 1 per cent rather than by prices (as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (‘CPI’)) for the tax years 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16.
The Social Security Benefits Uprating Order effects the policy for some of these benefits in 2013/14 only
Continue reading
Why is government intervention necessary?
Welfare expenditure is a significant driver of public spending, and the Government has made a commitment to deliver a more sustainable welfare system. In the Autumn Statement (2012), it was announced that in light of the national economic situation, certain working-age social security benefits and payments, certain elements of tax credits, and Child Benefit, would be up-rated by 1 per cent rather than by prices (as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (‘CPI’)) for the tax years 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16.
The Social Security Benefits Uprating Order effects the policy for some of these benefits in 2013/14 only
- The main working-age rates of Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit; the work-related activity group component of Employment and Support Allowance;
- Statutory Sick Pay and standard rate elements of, Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay; and Maternity Allowance.
Continue reading
Tuesday, 29 January 2013
Evaluation of Mandatory Work Activity
Department for Work and Pensions
Research Report No 823
A report of research carried out by ICF GHK and TNS-BMRB on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions
Mandatory Work Activity was launched in May 2011 and is targeted at a small group of claimants and referral to MWA is at Jobcentre Plus Adviser discretion.
MWA is a work placement of 30 hours a week lasting for four weeks. The placements are sourced by contracted providers in organisations/institutions that deliver a community benefit.
The aim of MWA is to move claimants closer to work through:
This research complements the impact assessment of Mandatory Work Activity published in June 2012: http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/adhoc_analysis/2012/early_impacts_mwa.pdf
The research has found that MWA has an impact on participants’ proximity to the labour market via an impact on a range of soft outcomes. The research report also identifies a number of challenges in service delivery and makes recommendations, many of which DWP have already addressed through continuous improvement activity.
Summary (PDF 6pp)
Full report (PDF 169pp)
A report of research carried out by ICF GHK and TNS-BMRB on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions
Mandatory Work Activity was launched in May 2011 and is targeted at a small group of claimants and referral to MWA is at Jobcentre Plus Adviser discretion.
MWA is a work placement of 30 hours a week lasting for four weeks. The placements are sourced by contracted providers in organisations/institutions that deliver a community benefit.
The aim of MWA is to move claimants closer to work through:
- Gaining a better understanding of labour market discipline via the work placement and;
- Demonstrating to claimants that receipt of benefit for those able to work is conditional on their willingness to search for and take-up employment.
This research complements the impact assessment of Mandatory Work Activity published in June 2012: http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/adhoc_analysis/2012/early_impacts_mwa.pdf
The research has found that MWA has an impact on participants’ proximity to the labour market via an impact on a range of soft outcomes. The research report also identifies a number of challenges in service delivery and makes recommendations, many of which DWP have already addressed through continuous improvement activity.
Summary (PDF 6pp)
Full report (PDF 169pp)
Thursday, 24 January 2013
Improvements to Work Capability Assessment making "a Real Difference" says Hoban
via TAEN news
Figures published today [22 January 2013] by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that nearly three in ten people being assessed for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) are now getting unconditional support – compared to just 10 per cent three years ago.
The latest figures taken from the quarterly Employment and Support Allowance: Outcomes of Work Capability Assessments, reveal that 27 per cent of people were put in the Support Group, meaning they received unconditional support as they are considered too ill or disabled to work. This is a 1 per cent increase from the previous quarter, and more than double the figure of 10-11% from December 2008 to May 2010.
52 per cent of those assessed were found to be fit for work and were referred to Jobcentre Plus or onto the Work Programme for employment support.
Outcomes of completed initial assessments of claims started in the period from March to May 2012 shows:
“Getting the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) right first time is my absolute priority. Those who are fit should work, but those who aren’t need real support. Today’s figures show that the improvements we have made since 2010 are making a real difference.
“Whether it’s improving the way people with cancer are assessed, making sure we get people’s medical evidence as early as possible, or refining the assessment of people with mental health problems, I am committed to continually improving the system.
“Having a fair and accurate assessment is fundamental to ensuring that those who are able to work get the help they need, and those who are too sick or disabled are fully supported.”
Appeals
Between October 2008 and November 2011, DWP made over 1.25 million decisions on new ESA claims following a WCA. Of those decisions:
Figures published today [22 January 2013] by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that nearly three in ten people being assessed for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) are now getting unconditional support – compared to just 10 per cent three years ago.
The latest figures taken from the quarterly Employment and Support Allowance: Outcomes of Work Capability Assessments, reveal that 27 per cent of people were put in the Support Group, meaning they received unconditional support as they are considered too ill or disabled to work. This is a 1 per cent increase from the previous quarter, and more than double the figure of 10-11% from December 2008 to May 2010.
52 per cent of those assessed were found to be fit for work and were referred to Jobcentre Plus or onto the Work Programme for employment support.
Outcomes of completed initial assessments of claims started in the period from March to May 2012 shows:
- 48 per cent of claimants were entitled to ESA. Within this -
- 21 per cent of claimants were placed in the Work Related Activity Group, and
- 27 per cent of claimants were placed in the Support Group;
- 52 per cent of claimants were assessed as Fit For Work
“Getting the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) right first time is my absolute priority. Those who are fit should work, but those who aren’t need real support. Today’s figures show that the improvements we have made since 2010 are making a real difference.
“Whether it’s improving the way people with cancer are assessed, making sure we get people’s medical evidence as early as possible, or refining the assessment of people with mental health problems, I am committed to continually improving the system.
“Having a fair and accurate assessment is fundamental to ensuring that those who are able to work get the help they need, and those who are too sick or disabled are fully supported.”
Appeals
Between October 2008 and November 2011, DWP made over 1.25 million decisions on new ESA claims following a WCA. Of those decisions:
- Around 742,000 people were found fit for work
- 39% of people who were found fit for work appealed the decision
- 37% of those appeals were successful
- Therefore the Tribunal overturned 15% of all fit for work decisions
Monday, 21 January 2013
Touchbase January 2013
I would like to bring you information from this DWP publication "for advisers, intermediaries and other professionals".
I really would but …
It is produced as PDF only (not unusual in this day and age) with either white on violet or violet on white except for the first half page, and is set out as A4 landscape.
Sorry folks, the colour scheme “does my head in” and the format makes it hard to read on screen.
It covers:
I really would but …
It is produced as PDF only (not unusual in this day and age) with either white on violet or violet on white except for the first half page, and is set out as A4 landscape.
Sorry folks, the colour scheme “does my head in” and the format makes it hard to read on screen.
It covers:
- Personal Independence Payment
An update on implementation - Universal Jobmatch
How the new service is helping jobseekers and employers - International Day of Disabled People
New projects aim to encourage positive attitudes towards disabled people - Carer’s Allowance Unit Open Day
Carer’s groups attended an event in Preston - Other news in brief
A round-up of other news
Monday, 26 November 2012
The terrible truth about the Future Jobs Fund
via ToUChstone blog: A public policy blog from the TUC by Richard Exell
Yesterday (22 Nov) the Department for Work and Pensions published Impacts and Costs and Benefits of the Future Jobs Fund (PDF 86pp), a quantitative evaluation of the last government’s most important job-creation scheme.
This is the programme the government cancelled because it was “ineffective” [Press Notice May 2010]. Earlier this year, Iain Duncan Smith said:
So it must be embarrassing that this review found that the Future Jobs Fund decreased the amount of time participants spent on benefits and increased the time they spent in unsubsidised employment. Two years after they started their FJF job, participants were 16 per cent less likely to be on benefits than if they had not taken part and 27 per cent more likely to be in unsubsidised employment and …
The cost-benefit analysis is particularly impressive:
Sometimes the news is just too good for the DWP.
Hazel’s comment:
What bothers me more about this than the obvious political implications is the fact that a policy review paper has been published in the DWP’s statistics series without a reference number and with no ISBN.
The librarian in me is a very unhappy bunny.
Yesterday (22 Nov) the Department for Work and Pensions published Impacts and Costs and Benefits of the Future Jobs Fund (PDF 86pp), a quantitative evaluation of the last government’s most important job-creation scheme.
This is the programme the government cancelled because it was “ineffective” [Press Notice May 2010]. Earlier this year, Iain Duncan Smith said:
Under the future jobs fund and everything else that was going on under the previous Government they threw money at providers ahead of any kind of outcome, caring only to tick the boxes to say that they had done something rather than that they had done something reasonable.
So it must be embarrassing that this review found that the Future Jobs Fund decreased the amount of time participants spent on benefits and increased the time they spent in unsubsidised employment. Two years after they started their FJF job, participants were 16 per cent less likely to be on benefits than if they had not taken part and 27 per cent more likely to be in unsubsidised employment and …
the impacts of FJF on both welfare receipt and unsubsidised employment were still strong after 104 weeks, so it is reasonable to assume that they will be sustained for some time beyond the 104-week outcome period.
The cost-benefit analysis is particularly impressive:
- net benefit to participants, about £4,000 per participant;
- net benefit to employers, about £6,850 per participant;
- net cost to the Exchequer, about £3,100 per participant; and
- net benefit to society, about £7,750 per participant.
Sometimes the news is just too good for the DWP.
Hazel’s comment:
What bothers me more about this than the obvious political implications is the fact that a policy review paper has been published in the DWP’s statistics series without a reference number and with no ISBN.
The librarian in me is a very unhappy bunny.
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
Health, Work and Well-being: A study of the Co-ordinator and Challenge Fund initiatives
a research report (RR811) from the Department for Work and Pensions by Roy Sainsbury, Katharine Weston, Anne Corden, Annie Irvine and Linda Cusworth (Social Policy Research Unit, University of York)
The Health, Work and Well-being Co-ordinators and Challenge Fund were time-limited policy initiatives designed to stimulate awareness and activity around health, work and well-being at both the strategic and organisation level. Set up in response to recommendations in Dame Carol Black’s 2008 ‘Review of the health of Britain’s working age population’, there were 11 Co-ordinators throughout Great Britain and 73 Challenge Fund winners who received small grants for up to two years. This study, commissioned in 2009, explores the perceived impact of the projects on health and work practices and on the health, work and well-being agenda, as well as their long-term sustainability.
Interviews were held with Health, Work and Well-being Co-ordinators, Senior NHS Public Health officials, and policy makers within the Department for Work and Pensions. A survey of 59 Challenge Fund winners and a survey of 279 organisations that had been in contact with the Co-ordinators were carried out. In depth case studies of 12 Challenge Fund winners were also undertaken. Data collection commenced in February 2010 and completed in October 2011.
The evaluation findings on these initiatives will be of particular interest to an external audience involved in assessing local needs, such as local authorities and the new health and wellbeing boards in England, whose responsibilities include improving employment outcomes (in the Public Health Outcomes Framework). Findings will be disseminated through the cross-Government Health, Work and Well-being Executive, and National Stakeholder Council, and were fed back to the Co-ordinators throughout the life of the evaluation to inform and develop their work.
Summary document (PDF 4pp)
Full report (PDF 131pp)
The Health, Work and Well-being Co-ordinators and Challenge Fund were time-limited policy initiatives designed to stimulate awareness and activity around health, work and well-being at both the strategic and organisation level. Set up in response to recommendations in Dame Carol Black’s 2008 ‘Review of the health of Britain’s working age population’, there were 11 Co-ordinators throughout Great Britain and 73 Challenge Fund winners who received small grants for up to two years. This study, commissioned in 2009, explores the perceived impact of the projects on health and work practices and on the health, work and well-being agenda, as well as their long-term sustainability.
Interviews were held with Health, Work and Well-being Co-ordinators, Senior NHS Public Health officials, and policy makers within the Department for Work and Pensions. A survey of 59 Challenge Fund winners and a survey of 279 organisations that had been in contact with the Co-ordinators were carried out. In depth case studies of 12 Challenge Fund winners were also undertaken. Data collection commenced in February 2010 and completed in October 2011.
The evaluation findings on these initiatives will be of particular interest to an external audience involved in assessing local needs, such as local authorities and the new health and wellbeing boards in England, whose responsibilities include improving employment outcomes (in the Public Health Outcomes Framework). Findings will be disseminated through the cross-Government Health, Work and Well-being Executive, and National Stakeholder Council, and were fed back to the Co-ordinators throughout the life of the evaluation to inform and develop their work.
Summary document (PDF 4pp)
Full report (PDF 131pp)
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Council Tax Benefit - Forecasts and assumptions
This research report from the DWP has no reference number that I can find (and believe me I have looked, and looked)
Executive summary
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) currently subsidises local authority spend on Council Tax Benefit (CTB) and provides forecasts of future expenditure to the Office for Budgetary Responsibility (OBR) on a biannual basis.
These estimates inform the Budget and Autumn Statements. In April 2013, Council Tax Benefit will be abolished and help for individuals to pay their Council Tax will be localised.
This was announced as part of the 2010 Spending Review, which also committed to reduce UK government expenditure on the benefit by ten percent. From this point, the DWP will no longer be responsible for forecasting expenditure on the replacement schemes individual local authorities choose to operate, and this has prompted a number of queries on forecasting methodology from Communities and Local Government (CLG), the devolved administrations, and individual Local Authorities, amongst others.
In agreement with the OBR, a decision was taken to make detailed information on the forecasts, trends and assumptions available publicly, in the interests of transparency.
This publication provides a background to Council Tax Benefit in its current form, how it is currently forecast within the DWP, and details the underlying assumptions reviewed when the forecasts are updated.
It also provides a commentary on past and future expenditure trends which underpin the forecasts, including by country.
Full text (PDF 23pp)
Hazel’s comment:
One of the few things I have actually read (if I read everything through thoroughly I’d never get anything posted) and I still don’t understand it beyond the “local government is going to be responsible for this in future”.
Executive summary
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) currently subsidises local authority spend on Council Tax Benefit (CTB) and provides forecasts of future expenditure to the Office for Budgetary Responsibility (OBR) on a biannual basis.
These estimates inform the Budget and Autumn Statements. In April 2013, Council Tax Benefit will be abolished and help for individuals to pay their Council Tax will be localised.
This was announced as part of the 2010 Spending Review, which also committed to reduce UK government expenditure on the benefit by ten percent. From this point, the DWP will no longer be responsible for forecasting expenditure on the replacement schemes individual local authorities choose to operate, and this has prompted a number of queries on forecasting methodology from Communities and Local Government (CLG), the devolved administrations, and individual Local Authorities, amongst others.
In agreement with the OBR, a decision was taken to make detailed information on the forecasts, trends and assumptions available publicly, in the interests of transparency.
This publication provides a background to Council Tax Benefit in its current form, how it is currently forecast within the DWP, and details the underlying assumptions reviewed when the forecasts are updated.
It also provides a commentary on past and future expenditure trends which underpin the forecasts, including by country.
Full text (PDF 23pp)
Hazel’s comment:
One of the few things I have actually read (if I read everything through thoroughly I’d never get anything posted) and I still don’t understand it beyond the “local government is going to be responsible for this in future”.
Thursday, 13 September 2012
Work and the welfare system: a survey of benefits and tax credits recipients
a research report (DWP RR 800) by Trinh Tu and Steven Ginnis (Ipsos MORI on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions)
This quantitative research looked at the views and attitudes to work, budgeting and internet use among a representative sample of benefit units receiving working age benefits and tax credits who would be impacted by the transition to Universal Credit. The survey fieldwork took place between June and August 2011 and involved 5,529 individuals in 4,315 households (including 1,249 interviews with the partners of main claimants). The sample was randomly selected from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) claimant databases and covered Great Britain.
The research was commissioned to help DWP implement Universal Credit by providing detailed information on views and attitudes to work, internet use and budgeting skills among a representative sample of claimants who would be impacted by the transition to Universal Credit. These topics were chosen because work-related requirements will be extended under Universal Credit, and will depend on the particular circumstances of individual claimants. Also, Universal Credit will be paid as a single, monthly household payment and claims will be made online.
The survey has identified a range of distinct attitudes to work and the Department will use this information to help improve and target our services to help Universal Credit claimants increase their work readiness and/or levels of work. The results show that 78% of those surveyed already use the internet – we will use the findings to inform our approach to encouraging and supporting claimants to use the online service. The findings also indicate that most respondents would be comfortable moving to a single, household payment. The concept of a monthly payment causes more concern, but we want to help claimants to manage their finances in preparation for taking on (more) work. We will use the findings to inform our approach to promoting financial capability and to develop appropriate and tailored support for extremely vulnerable claimants.
The research will also inform communications surrounding transition to Universal Credit and the development of appropriate strategies for differently affected customer groups.
ISBN 978-1-908523-67-9
Read summary (PDF 2pp) Note: this is a separate document which appears to be replacing the previously published Research Briefs
Read full report (PDF 90pp)
Technical report (PDF 95pp)
This quantitative research looked at the views and attitudes to work, budgeting and internet use among a representative sample of benefit units receiving working age benefits and tax credits who would be impacted by the transition to Universal Credit. The survey fieldwork took place between June and August 2011 and involved 5,529 individuals in 4,315 households (including 1,249 interviews with the partners of main claimants). The sample was randomly selected from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) claimant databases and covered Great Britain.
The research was commissioned to help DWP implement Universal Credit by providing detailed information on views and attitudes to work, internet use and budgeting skills among a representative sample of claimants who would be impacted by the transition to Universal Credit. These topics were chosen because work-related requirements will be extended under Universal Credit, and will depend on the particular circumstances of individual claimants. Also, Universal Credit will be paid as a single, monthly household payment and claims will be made online.
The survey has identified a range of distinct attitudes to work and the Department will use this information to help improve and target our services to help Universal Credit claimants increase their work readiness and/or levels of work. The results show that 78% of those surveyed already use the internet – we will use the findings to inform our approach to encouraging and supporting claimants to use the online service. The findings also indicate that most respondents would be comfortable moving to a single, household payment. The concept of a monthly payment causes more concern, but we want to help claimants to manage their finances in preparation for taking on (more) work. We will use the findings to inform our approach to promoting financial capability and to develop appropriate and tailored support for extremely vulnerable claimants.
The research will also inform communications surrounding transition to Universal Credit and the development of appropriate strategies for differently affected customer groups.
ISBN 978-1-908523-67-9
Read summary (PDF 2pp) Note: this is a separate document which appears to be replacing the previously published Research Briefs
Read full report (PDF 90pp)
Technical report (PDF 95pp)
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Touchbase e-zine
Personally I find this a difficult read on screen, and an even more difficult one if printed since it's a PDF of an A5 booklet which appears as two pages to a sheet of A4.
Anyway, you can find it here with information about:
Anyway, you can find it here with information about:
- Universal Credit
Implementation update - Universal Credit and In Work incentives
Three job entry payments to be phased out - Personal Independence Payment
Communicating the claimant Journey - Independent Living Fund consultation
Consultation launched to consider the Fund’s future - Work experience benefits businesses
Scheme giving valuable experience to young people - Work Capability Assessment
A decision maker’s views of the assessment - Changes to Sure Start Maternity Grant
Extension of the scheme from August 2012 - Joint working to tackle fraud
An update on Fraud and Error - UK Older People’s Day
Join the Big Skills Share - Other news in brief
Roundup of other news- Work Programme stories
- Benefit Cap
- New Social Justice Stories
- Real Time Information
Changes to Jobcentre Plus vacancies statistics
DWP press release
In late autumn 2012 there will be fundamental changes in Jobcentre Plus handling of employer vacancies and services in support of job search. The existing source of administrative data is being decommissioned. This means that existing National Statistics on Jobcentre Plus vacancies will cease. There will be no further releases on Nomis.
A new service will be introduced to provide job search services to all jobseekers. New internet-based statistics from this system will be available to all users. This will provide wider coverage with timely and frequent updates. However, definitions will not be consistent with the existing statistics.
These changes are largely driven by the need to improve the service to job search customers. However, there are substantial benefits for statistical users too, as well as some changes to the structure of the series.
Further information is available here
In late autumn 2012 there will be fundamental changes in Jobcentre Plus handling of employer vacancies and services in support of job search. The existing source of administrative data is being decommissioned. This means that existing National Statistics on Jobcentre Plus vacancies will cease. There will be no further releases on Nomis.
A new service will be introduced to provide job search services to all jobseekers. New internet-based statistics from this system will be available to all users. This will provide wider coverage with timely and frequent updates. However, definitions will not be consistent with the existing statistics.
These changes are largely driven by the need to improve the service to job search customers. However, there are substantial benefits for statistical users too, as well as some changes to the structure of the series.
Further information is available here
Monday, 6 February 2012
City Strategy: Final Evaluation
A research report (RR 783) by Anne E. Green and Duncan Adam (Institute for Employment Research, University of Warwick) published by the DWP in December 2011.
Summary
The City Strategy initiative was designed at a time of national economic growth to combat enduring pockets of entrenched worklessness and poverty in urban areas by empowering local institutions to come together in partnerships to develop locally sensitive solutions. It was premised on the idea that developing a better understanding of the local welfare to work arena would allow partnerships to align and pool funding and resources to reduce duplication of services and fill gaps in provision.
City Strategy partnerships played an important role in orchestrating a multiplicity of agencies at a variety of spatial scales, with responsibilities in fields relevant to tackling worklessness. In general, they were successful in identifying gaps in existing service provision. They also had some successes in aligning funding sources so as to reduce duplication and achieve a more coherent services offer.
There is a great deal of positive evidence for process changes made by the partnerships which have been positive for supporting workless individuals. There are numerous micro level individual and project success stories and outcomes including:
Full report (PDF 83pp)
ISBN: 9-781-90852-341-9
Summary
The City Strategy initiative was designed at a time of national economic growth to combat enduring pockets of entrenched worklessness and poverty in urban areas by empowering local institutions to come together in partnerships to develop locally sensitive solutions. It was premised on the idea that developing a better understanding of the local welfare to work arena would allow partnerships to align and pool funding and resources to reduce duplication of services and fill gaps in provision.
City Strategy partnerships played an important role in orchestrating a multiplicity of agencies at a variety of spatial scales, with responsibilities in fields relevant to tackling worklessness. In general, they were successful in identifying gaps in existing service provision. They also had some successes in aligning funding sources so as to reduce duplication and achieve a more coherent services offer.
There is a great deal of positive evidence for process changes made by the partnerships which have been positive for supporting workless individuals. There are numerous micro level individual and project success stories and outcomes including:
- working together across policy domains, often with new providers and stakeholders;
- more joined up approaches to tackling worklessness;
- greater ability to respond to new opportunities because of the foundations set by City Strategy partnership working;
- the sharing of information between local partners and between local partnerships; and
- nurturing new ways of working.
Full report (PDF 83pp)
ISBN: 9-781-90852-341-9
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