Recommendations & Conclusions
11 items
1
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Plan for Jobs and empl…
Accepted
The pandemic has led to a steep rise in mental health problems among young people. Whilst maintaining steady employment often helps people to sustain good mental health, problems with mental health are a principal barrier to employment for many 16-to-24-year-olds. Support for mental health should be treated as a foundational …
Government response. The government highlights close collaboration with DHSC and NHS and lists several existing and planned interventions, such as Employment Advisers in NHS Talking Therapies and the Universal Support programme, that integrate mental health support for young people. It also notes …
Department for Work and Pensions
17
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Plan for Jobs and empl…
Accepted
Creating opportunities for older workers to remain active in the labour market for longer is important for reducing economic inactivity. The Government’s Returnerships initiative looks to support older workers to change career but does not attempt to reduce the loss of industry experience and expertise that this will entail. DWP …
Government response. The government stated that its specialist 50 Plus Champions already facilitate employer-led mentoring workshops, which can be sector-specific, and the Taking Teaching Further program supports over 50s in sharing their industry expertise as FE teachers.
Department for Work and Pensions
18
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Plan for Jobs and empl…
Accepted
Some over 50s who stopped working after the pandemic may not have the financial security they need to support themselves for the rest of their lives. We welcome the new Midlife MOT website launched by DWP on 5 July 2023 and its purpose to “help older workers with financial planning”. …
Government response. The government confirms it is already delivering Midlife MOTs in Jobcentres and piloting them through private sector suppliers, alongside an enhanced digital offer, directly addressing the committee's call for in-person services. It also highlights ongoing efforts to engage employers and …
Department for Work and Pensions
20
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Plan for Jobs and empl…
Accepted
The Restart scheme has seen an underspend against its budget since it was launched in 2021. Despite this, strict eligibility criteria mean that many people who would benefit from the support of the programme are not able to access help. Where there are programme underspends or lower than expected uptake …
Government response. The government explained the past underspend was due to quicker economic recovery and they already expanded eligibility from 12-18 months to 9 months in Intensive Work Search. They did not commit to further expansion for the economically inactive or new …
Department for Work and Pensions
22
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Plan for Jobs and empl…
Accepted
We welcome that the Department has already responded positively to our request to publish Restart statistics regularly. The previous lack of transparency around how the programme was performing and its employment outcomes for participants had prevented valuable external assessment of the scheme and limited DWP’s accountability for the programme outcomes. …
Government response. The government states it already produces and publishes statistics for its employment programmes and will continue to develop future publications for transparency.
Department for Work and Pensions
24
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Plan for Jobs and empl…
Accepted
DWP should roll out the Work Adjustment Passport for everyone who receives support from Access to Work to support people transitioning into work or between jobs. This would make it easier to access support and obtain adjustments quickly.
Government response. DWP has already rolled out two tailored Adjustments Passports nationally for disabled jobseekers and armed forces service leavers, with a third for university students due in Autumn 2023. Work is underway to develop a generic passport.
Department for Work and Pensions
25
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Plan for Jobs and empl…
Accepted
The Access to Work system is outdated and often unable to accept online document submission or e-signatures. A system that requires applications and claims must be 84 Plan for Jobs and employment support sent in by hand acts as a practical barrier to support. DWP needs to update the Access …
Government response. The government confirms that a new online process for Access to Work grant claims was introduced in June 2023, enabling customers to submit new claims, upload evidence, and have claims digitally countersigned, fully addressing the recommendation before the specified deadline.
Department for Work and Pensions
26
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Plan for Jobs and empl…
Accepted
In line with our recommendation in our Disability employment gap Report, we recommend that DWP should review the number of DEAs and the support that Jobcentre Plus staff receive on supporting disabled people. DWP need to ensure that there is adequate access to specialist advice for disabled people in Jobcentres …
Government response. The government states that all work coaches and DEAs already undergo comprehensive and ongoing learning, which is regularly reviewed. The DEA role was also redesigned in 2019 to provide specialist health-related coaching and support.
Department for Work and Pensions
29
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Plan for Jobs and empl…
Accepted
The Way to Work campaign focused on moving people into work as quickly as possible, without considering whether this work was suitable or sustainable in the long-term. This approach may reduce unemployment in the short-term, but the long-term positive impacts are not evidenced. It can also dissuade employers from using …
Government response. The government asserts that DWP already provides comprehensive support for individuals to achieve sustained and quality employment, citing the In-Work Progression offer and Restart scheme's focus on sustained outcomes. It also states that its employment support programmes undergo comprehensive evaluation, …
Department for Work and Pensions
31
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Plan for Jobs and empl…
Accepted
DWP’s employment support services do not currently offer much support beyond the point of securing employment. People who have multiple or complex barriers to employment or who have been unemployed for a long time are often seen as Plan for Jobs and employment support 85 undesirable employees. People can also …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation, stating its Universal Support program will provide personalised in-work support for up to 12 months for at-risk claimants, exceeding the recommended 3-6 months. It also highlights an increase in the Administrative Earnings Threshold and a …
Department for Work and Pensions
32
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Plan for Jobs and empl…
Accepted
Support that is tailored to the needs of the individual produces better long-term results that not only gets people into work but helps them overcome the barriers to employment that were preventing them from gaining and sustaining employment. If these challenges are not dealt with effectively and individuals are not …
Government response. The government is supportive of the Jobs Plus concept and will be implementing a pilot scheme based on the Jobs Plus model.
Department for Work and Pensions