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Select Committee · Work and Pensions Committee

DWP’s preparations for changes in the world of work

Status: Closed Opened: 14 May 2020 Closed: 2 Feb 2022 21 recommendations 4 conclusions 1 report

This inquiry looked at how prepared the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and its Jobcentre Plus network is for changes in the world of work brought about by new technology. It focussed on: The challenges the DWP faces as a result of technological change How prepared the DWP is for these challenges already What … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - DWP’s preparations for changes in the world … HC 216 29 Jun 2021 25 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
11 Conclusion First Report - DWP’s preparations for c… Acknowledged

Changes in the world of work will affect some groups of people more significantly than...

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 AI summary
The government discusses the move towards hybrid working and its potential benefits for disabled people. It highlights the Flexible Working Taskforce's focus and commitments in the National Disability Strategy on flexible working, carer leave, and a 'Disability at Work' advice hub.
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Department for Work and Pensions
14 Recommendation First Report - DWP’s preparations for c… Acknowledged

The pandemic has accelerated the take up of new technology in the workplace, and it...

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 … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the recommendation by referencing existing ONS data on hybrid working and disabled people's experience, and highlights commitments in the National Disability Strategy and the focus of the Flexible Working Taskforce, but does not explicitly commit to monitoring and publishing a specific analysis …
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Department for Work and Pensions
23 Recommendation First Report - DWP’s preparations for c… Acknowledged

We welcome the fact that DWP has recruited 13,500 additional Work Coaches in response to...

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 … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states it has increased Disability Employment Advisers and regularly reviews their numbers and functions to ensure adequate capacity. However, it does not make a specific commitment to recruit more Work Coaches if demand rises or to hire more/upskill DEAs if necessary, as recommended.
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Department for Work and Pensions

Oral evidence sessions

6 sessions
Date Witnesses
11 Feb 2021 John Paul Marks · Department for Work and Pensions, Jonathan Mills · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Mims Davies MP · Department for Work and Pensions View ↗
13 Jan 2021 Antony Walker · techUK, Dr George Zarkadakis · Willis Towers Watson, Tamara Hill · British Retail Consortium, Tebessum Rashid · Black Training and Enterprise Group, Verity Davidge · Make UK View ↗
25 Nov 2020 Carys Roberts · Institute for Public Policy Research, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson · UK Women's Budget Group, Hector Minto · Microsoft, James Taylor · Scope, Julia Waltham · Working Families, Kim Chaplain · Centre for Ageing Better View ↗
11 Nov 2020 Anthony Painter, Dr Malcolm Torry · University of Bath, Edward Davies · Centre for Social Justice, Paul Vaughan · Fife Council, Professor Nick Pearce View ↗
4 Nov 2020 Anna Thomas · Institute for the Future of Work, Associate Professor Jo Ingold · Deakin University, Faculty of Business and Law, Ian Pope · Public and Commercial Services Union, Jonathan Boys · Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Kate Bell · Trades Union Congress, Professor Alan Felstead · Cardiff University School of Social Sciences View ↗
23 Sep 2020 Ashley McCaul · ThinkForward, Ben Marson · The Prince's Trust, Joe Fitzsimons · Institute of Directors, Laura-Jane Rawlings · Youth Employment UK, Sam Windett · Impetus, Torsten Bell · Resolution Foundation View ↗

Who gave evidence

31 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Anna Thomas · Co-Founder and Director Institute for the Future of Work 1
Anthony Painter — 1
Antony Walker · Deputy Chief Executive techUK 1
Ashley McCaul · CEO ThinkForward 1
Associate Professor Jo Ingold · Associate Professor Deakin University, Faculty of Business and Law 1
Ben Marson · Director of Partnerships The Prince's Trust 1
Carys Roberts · Executive Director Institute for Public Policy Research 1
Dr George Zarkadakis · Digital Lead Willis Towers Watson 1
Dr Malcolm Torry · Visiting Fellow, Institute for Policy Research University of Bath 1
Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson · Director UK Women's Budget Group 1
Edward Davies · Director of Policy Centre for Social Justice 1
Hector Minto · Senior Technology Evangelist for Accessibility Microsoft 1
Ian Pope · DWP Group Assistant Secretary Public and Commercial Services Union 1
James Taylor · Executive Director, Strategy, Impact and Social C… Scope 1
Joe Fitzsimons · Head of Education and Skills Policy Institute of Directors 1
John Paul Marks · Director General for Work and Health Services Department for Work and Pensions 1
Jonathan Boys · Labour and Market Economist Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development 1
Jonathan Mills · Director General, Energy Markets and Supply Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 1
Julia Waltham · Head of Policy and Influencing Working Families 1
Kate Bell · Head of the Rights International, Social and Econ… Trades Union Congress 1
Kim Chaplain · Associate Director of Work Centre for Ageing Better 1
Laura-Jane Rawlings · Founder & CEO Youth Employment UK 1
Mims Davies MP · Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister … Department for Work and Pensions 1
Paul Vaughan · Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods Fife Council 1
Professor Alan Felstead · Research Professor Cardiff University School of Social Sciences 1
Professor Nick Pearce — 1
Sam Windett · Director of Policy Impetus 1
Tamara Hill · Employment and Skills Policy Advisor British Retail Consortium 1
Tebessum Rashid · Deputy Chief Executive Black Training and Enterprise Group 1
Torsten Bell · Chief Executive Resolution Foundation 1
Verity Davidge · Director of Policy and Public Affairs Make UK 1

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
22 Jun 2021 — Correspondence with Secretary of State for DWP about the Restart scheme