Recommendations & Conclusions
25 items
1
Conclusion
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
While there is a broad consensus that new technology is unlikely to result in mass unemployment, it will lead to the loss of some jobs and the creation of entirely new ones. Some sectors will experience the impact of new technology more profoundly than others, and for some these changes …
Government response. DWP is working with other departments, particularly DfE and BEIS, on labour market issues to develop joined-up policy solutions. The effects of businesses’ growing adoption of technology are discussed alongside other impacts on the UK labour market and the need …
Department for Work and Pensions
2
Recommendation
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
We heard evidence that DWP has not been proactive enough in planning for long- term changes to the world of work, and that it has largely reacted to change instead of planning ahead for a range of different scenarios or developing a long-term strategy. Working with other departments, DWP should …
Government response. Government will safeguard employees’ rights and wellbeing and ensure that available jobs are of good quality. BEIS is the department with responsibility for employment rights. The Government is committed to establishing a single enforcement body for employment rights. This new …
Department for Work and Pensions
3
Conclusion
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
New technology has the potential to enhance employees’ experience of work; for example, by allowing for greater use of remote working and replacing more mundane tasks. However, there is also a risk that technology could have an adverse impact on workers’ rights and wellbeing. The strategy we have recommended should …
Government response. DWP already works with other government departments who have responsibility for key sectors, including DCMS and BEIS. This work identifies how government can unlock opportunities in these sectors through skills provision, employment support and careers advice services. For example, DWP …
Department for Work and Pensions
4
Conclusion
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
Responsibility for responding to changes in the world of work does not sit with one department. DWP told us that it works with other government departments to help fill roles in sectors where there is growing demand: for example, with DHSC on filling vacancies in social care, or with BEIS …
Government response. The Government has set up the joint DCMS/BEIS Office for AI, the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, and the independent AI Council, which advises on the adoption of new technology.
Department for Work and Pensions
5
Conclusion
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
We welcome the Government’s announcement that it will publish a new AI Strategy later this year that will focus on economic growth through widespread use of digital technologies and on developing every adult’s digital skills. DWP should work closely with DCMS and BEIS on the development of the Strategy. It …
Government response. The Government has set up the joint DCMS/BEIS Office for AI, the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, and the independent AI Council, which advises on the adoption of new technology.
Department for Work and Pensions
6
Recommendation
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
The Government has committed to introducing an Employment Bill in this Parliament which will “build on existing employment law with measures that protect those in low-paid work and the gig economy”. In our earlier report on DWP’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, we recommended that the Government should bring forward …
Government response. We have shared your recommendations with the ONS.
Department for Work and Pensions
7
Recommendation
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
We have heard concerns that there is a lack of real-time data on how quickly employers in the UK are adopting new technology. If DWP is to respond effectively to changes in the world of work, it needs a stronger evidence base about the real-time impact of new technology in …
Government response. We have shared your recommendations with the ONS.
Department for Work and Pensions
8
Recommendation
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
As change leads to the emergence of new jobs and changes to existing ones, the Government must ensure that it is monitoring the impact of change on the quality of jobs, not just the quantity. Studies such as the Skills and Employment Survey have been a useful source of data …
Government response. The Skills and Employment Survey is owned and developed by academics and managed out of Cardiff University. It relies on funding from several sources but primarily the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). It is solely a decision for the …
Department for Work and Pensions
9
Recommendation
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
New technology, especially assistive technology (AT), has the potential to expand disabled people’s access to the labour market. However, take-up and knowledge of AT is still low. DWP should do more to improve knowledge and take-up of assistive technology amongst employers. Our predecessor Committee recommended that the Government should bring …
Government response. In July 2021, the Government launched its new National Disability Strategy (NDS), outlining our approach to realising more accessible housing, easier commuting, and better job prospects for millions of disabled people throughout the UK. The Disability Unit (DU) will invest …
Department for Work and Pensions
10
Recommendation
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
DWP must ensure that its digital skills offer is accessible and inclusive for disabled people. It should set out how it intends to increase the proportion of disabled people who benefit from its support and commit to publishing data on this.
Government response. In August 2020, a new legal entitlement was introduced by DfE to fully fund specified digital qualifications, at entry level and level 1, for adults with no or low digital skills. Alongside the introduction of the digital entitlement, DfE introduced …
Department for Work and Pensions
11
Conclusion
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
Changes in the world of work will affect some groups of people more significantly than others. We heard that automation has the potential to exacerbate existing inequalities—but that does not have to be the case.
Government response. Data from the ONS shows that, among organisations for whom remote working is possible, most businesses and individuals expect to move to ‘hybrid’ working models on a more a permanent basis. That is why the Flexible Working Taskforce will initially …
Department for Work and Pensions
12
Conclusion
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
The employment gap between White and BAME workers remains too high, despite the Government’s intent to reduce it. There is a risk that the gap will widen if, as some predict, automation affects some ethnic groups more significantly than others. Automation may also have a differential impact on men and …
Government response. As part of the evaluation of the Shared Parental Leave and Pay scheme, BEIS commissioned large scale, representative surveys of employers and parents. The surveys sought views on a broad range of parental leave and pay entitlements, including Paternity Leave …
Department for Work and Pensions
13
Recommendation
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
We recommend that, as part of its commitment to levelling up, the Government should establish a new publicly funded advisory body of experts with a focus on the potential impact of changes in the world of work on different groups in the labour market. The Government should use the now-closed …
Government response. DWP understands why the committee thinks this would be helpful but does not have any plans to introduce markers on the Universal Credit (UC) system. Instead we are exploring ways how claimants tell us about circumstances that might affect their …
Department for Work and Pensions
14
Recommendation
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
The pandemic has accelerated the take up of new technology in the workplace, and it has led to a growth in remote working. It is likely that some of the changes to working patterns and practices will remain in place once the pandemic has ended. Remote working has both advantages …
Government response. Data from the ONS shows that, among organisations for whom remote working is possible, most businesses and individuals expect to move to ‘hybrid’ working models on a more a permanent basis. That is why the Flexible Working Taskforce will initially …
Department for Work and Pensions
15
Recommendation
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
The shift to remote working has had significant ramifications for people with caring responsibilities. We heard evidence that the number of men undertaking DWP’s preparations for changes in the world of work 51 unpaid childcare has increased during the pandemic. Increased volatility in the labour market has resulted in more …
Government response. As part of the evaluation of the Shared Parental Leave and Pay scheme, BEIS commissioned large scale, representative surveys of employers and parents. The surveys sought views on a broad range of parental leave and pay entitlements, including Paternity Leave …
Department for Work and Pensions
16
Conclusion
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
Unemployment has risen because of the pandemic, but some sectors have been hit harder than others. Sectors which have seen the highest proportion of job losses are those that have been “shut down” in response to the pandemic, such as arts and leisure, retail and passenger transport. Some groups of …
Government response. DWP already works closely with local authorities, other local stakeholders and other government departments through the Work and Health Services network. DWP also engages centrally with Mayoral Combined Authorities, local authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and with businesses and charities, all …
Department for Work and Pensions
17
Conclusion
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
The Department will, however, be limited by longstanding deficiencies in the collection and storage of data about Universal Credit claimants. The Department has told us that it does not have the mechanisms within the Universal Credit system to collect real time demographic data about participants in the Kickstart and Restart …
Government response. DWP understands why the committee thinks this would be helpful but does not have any plans to introduce markers on the Universal Credit (UC) system. Instead we are exploring ways how claimants tell us about circumstances that might affect their …
Department for Work and Pensions
18
Recommendation
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
We reiterate our recommendation, first made in October 2020, that the Department should immediately make improvements to the Universal Credit system to enable it to record and use data about claimants’ characteristics. Without those improvements, the Department cannot effectively measure in real time how well the Restart and Kickstart schemes …
Government response. We have recently increased the number of Disability Employment Advisers and we regularly review the number and the functions of the role to ensure we have capacity to deliver the support required to customers who require additional time and expertise …
Department for Work and Pensions
19
Recommendation
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
We welcome the steps that DWP has already taken to ensure that jobseekers can develop the skills they need in a changing jobs market. We were encouraged by the Minister’s comments that DWP is working with the Department for Education on its National Skills Fund and the delivery of digital …
Government response. The Skills Offer is jointly pursued across government. DfE in England and Devolved Administrations in Scotland and Wales lead on funding and commissioning the training offer, and DWP plays a critical role in actively influencing that offer and creating access …
Department for Work and Pensions
20
Recommendation
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
In written evidence, DWP said that it intends to expand its skills offer. In response to this report, it should set out its plans in detail. In particular, it should explain how its offer will focus on the skills for which there is increased demand, particularly digital and AI skills. …
Government response. The Skills Offer is jointly pursued across government. DfE in England and Devolved Administrations in Scotland and Wales lead on funding and commissioning the training offer, and DWP plays a critical role in actively influencing that offer and creating access …
Department for Work and Pensions
21
Recommendation
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
DWP should set out a plan for how Jobcentre Plus can work more closely with partners—including local authorities, local enterprise partnerships, employers and education and training providers—to ensure that its skills offer is aligned with the needs of the local labour market.
Government response. DWP already works closely with local authorities, other local stakeholders and other government departments through the Work and Health Services network. DWP also engages centrally with Mayoral Combined Authorities, local authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and with businesses and charities, all …
Department for Work and Pensions
22
Conclusion
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
It is essential that Work Coaches have a detailed understanding of the local labour market. Business engagement is a key route to understanding the changing jobs market and the nature of skills that employers are looking for. We heard evidence, however, that Work Coaches often do not have the capacity …
Government response. Work Coaches are supported by Jobcentre Plus Employer and Partnership Managers, and Employer Advisers who engage professionally, co-ordinating and building external relationships with employers in the local area. They work alongside our Work Coaches to identify claimants with the skills …
Department for Work and Pensions
23
Conclusion
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
We welcome the fact that DWP has recruited 13,500 additional Work Coaches in response to the pandemic. DWP should continue to assess whether the number of Work Coaches is sufficient, and commit to recruiting more in the future if demand rises. It should also ensure that there are enough Jobcentre …
Government response. We have recently increased the number of Disability Employment Advisers and we regularly review the number and the functions of the role to ensure we have capacity to deliver the support required to customers who require additional time and expertise …
Department for Work and Pensions
24
Conclusion
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
As well as impacting the labour market, the adoption of new technology is likely to affect the way DWP delivers its services. As DWP moves more of its services online, it must ensure that people with low digital literacy, who may struggle to access its digital services, can continue to …
Government response. Throughout the pandemic, Jobcentres have remained open for anyone who needed face-to-face support and could not be helped in any other way. Since 12 April 2021, Jobcentres in England and Wales have resumed full face-to-face services, returning to normal opening …
Department for Work and Pensions
25
Recommendation
First Report - DWP’s preparations for c…
The evidence we have heard suggests that changes such as automation are unlikely to lead to mass unemployment. That does not mean that there will be no displacement at all, especially as job roles and requirements change, and it is vital that people who do find themselves out of work …
Government response. The Government’s approach to welfare recognises the value and importance of work, making work pay and supporting people into work, while protecting the most vulnerable in society. This is an approach that is based on clear evidence that work offers …
Department for Work and Pensions