Recommendations & Conclusions
41 items
1
Conclusion
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Accepted
Claimant commitments should be a cornerstone of the relationship between claimants and work coaches. But too often, commitments set work search requirements that are too generic and sometimes counter-productive (such as completing a set number of applications or spending 35-hours job searching per week). We heard that complying with these …
Government response. The government has completed an internal review of the Claimant Commitment and is currently testing a new policy model through the Jobs and Careers Service ‘Pathfinder’ to shift focus from compliance to individual employment support. They will review the policy …
Department for Work and Pensions
2
Conclusion
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Acknowledged
Instead of an internal review, DWP should publicly consult on changes to the claimant commitment. DWP should consider removing blanket requirements, such as the 35-hour job search requirement, and replacing them with a personalised action plan that is co-developed between the claimant and work coach, and relevant to the claimant’s …
Government response. The government states that the new Jobs and Careers Service will provide personalised employment support and will set out what support and advice customers can expect once the service is developed. It is considering a statement of service and will …
Department for Work and Pensions
3
Conclusion
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Accepted
To demonstrate the Government’s commitment to supporting rather than coercing people into employment, it should introduce an employment support guarantee that sets out the personalised support and advice people can expect to receive from the new jobs and careers service. (Recommendation, Paragraph 24)
Government response. The government is exploring alternative approaches to how claimants demonstrate conditionality within the Pathfinder, including providing evidence through Universal Credit accounts for digitally capable individuals. It partially accepts the recommendation to introduce an employment support guarantee, stating that it will …
Department for Work and Pensions
4
Conclusion
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Accepted
We were encouraged to hear that the Government wants to shift the focus of Jobcentre appointments away from monitoring benefit compliance and towards personalised employment support. This shift is urgently needed. The Department now needs to expand on how it will deliver this change. 52 It is not clear how …
Government response. The government states that work coaches already tailor commitments to personal circumstances and are constantly reviewing training. While they are testing broader commitments within the Pathfinder program, they have no current plans for further research into new approaches and reaffirm …
Department for Work and Pensions
5
Recommendation
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Deferred
In its response to this report, DWP should clarify what changes it is making to the system for monitoring compliance with benefit conditions. In particular, it should set out how it will move benefit monitoring “from the foreground to the background” of Jobcentre appointments. (Recommendation, Paragraph 31)
Government response. The government states that further details on changes to benefit monitoring will be provided in due course, following consideration of consultation findings and the conclusion of a departmental safeguarding review currently underway.
Department for Work and Pensions
6
Conclusion
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Deferred
Sanctions are the sharp end of benefit conditionality. DWP’s own evidence shows that sanctions don’t work, causing people to move more slowly into work and to earn less. While sanctions have a place in the benefits system, there is clear evidence that their current application is not working. A more …
Government response. The government outlined initiatives for more personalised employment support through the new Jobs and Careers Service and Coaching Academy, and committed to publishing a review of employment support evidence by the end of 2026, but it did not directly address …
Department for Work and Pensions
7
Recommendation
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Deferred
Sanctions risk undermining the work of Jobcentres and acting against the Government’s employment goals. DWP must develop a new approach to the use of sanctions. It should consider: • adopting a trauma-informed approach to sanctioning decisions; • issuing warnings rather than an immediate sanction; • having the option of non-financial …
Government response. The government's response detailed its plans for the new Jobs and Careers digital service, outlining its design and accessibility, but it did not address any of the specific recommendations or questions regarding a new approach to the use of sanctions.
Department for Work and Pensions
8
Recommendation
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Deferred
DWP should set out more detail about how it will build a systems-based approach to safeguarding into the new jobs and careers service, including its conditionality and sanctions policy. We previously recommended that the Chief Medical Advisor assess the potential health impact on claimants of all policy changes, and we …
Government response. The government accepts the need for a systems-based safeguarding approach and health impact assessments, but defers providing further detail pending consultation findings, the conclusion of a departmental safeguarding review, and the development of a wider safeguarding approach.
Department for Work and Pensions
9
Conclusion
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Accepted
Work coaches are an incredible resource but they are currently being ineffectively deployed. Work coaches often do not have enough time with claimants to have an impact, with many appointments no more than 10 minutes long: not nearly enough to address the needs of many claimants who are further from …
Government response. The government has developed a draft policy framework to shift focus from compliance checking to personalised employment support, is testing a two-stage approach for Claimant Commitment meetings, and is developing a Work Coach Academy to enhance work coach skills and …
Department for Work and Pensions
10
Recommendation
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Accepted
Over the next year, DWP should undertake a detailed review of its work coach model. It should evaluate the difference work coach support makes to employment outcomes for different groups, identifying those who would most benefit from more support and those who do not require work coaching because, for example, …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation, stating its Evidence and Evaluation Strategy 2025 already covers work coach support impacts. They commit to publishing a review of available evidence on work coach and third-party employment support by the end of 2026, with …
Department for Work and Pensions
11
Recommendation
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Deferred
We were encouraged to hear that DWP wants work coaches to have more time with claimants and to deliver more personalised support. Coaching that is tailored to the aspirations of the service user and that seeks to identify the unique barriers people face will be far more effective than the …
Government response. The government initially states they do not accept the premise of the conclusion, describing their existing internal capacity modelling. However, they then agree to set out a formal framework for managing work coach demand but are unable to do so …
Department for Work and Pensions
12
Recommendation
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Deferred
We recommend that DWP looks at how to better manage work coach capacity, including modelling how its planned Jobcentre reforms will change demand for work coach time and capacity. In response to this inquiry, it should set out: • a summary of this modelling; • its plans for meeting the …
Government response. The government's response focused on its Jobcentre Performance Framework, which measures sustained earnings, and stated it does not intend to introduce measures of job quality due to data limitations, completely sidestepping the recommendation to detail plans for managing work coach …
Department for Work and Pensions
13
Conclusion
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Deferred
DWP’s solution to a lack of work coach capacity is to use digital tools, with its flagship plan being a ‘Jobcentre in your pocket’. DWP plans to deliver this digital tool in 2027–28, but has yet to define what it is, how it will work and who it is for. …
Government response. The government's response focused on its Employer Strategy and the trial of a Recruitment Consultant role in Wakefield to strengthen engagement with local employers, but did not address the committee's concerns about the 'Jobcentre in your pocket' digital tool or …
Department for Work and Pensions
14
Recommendation
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Deferred
In its response to this report, DWP should provide more details about its plans for a ‘Jobcentre in your pocket’. DWP should set out what the public can expect from a ‘Jobcentre in your pocket’, how it will interact with the current Universal Credit journal and how it will ensure …
Government response. The government's response outlined its collaboration with the Department for Business and Trade to embed employment support within sector plans and referenced broader initiatives like Economic Inactivity Trailblazers and the new Youth Guarantee, but it did not provide any details …
Department for Work and Pensions
15
Conclusion
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Deferred
DWP should work with the employment support sector to develop a framework for the ethical use of AI in employment support. (Recommendation, Paragraph 78) ‘Good jobs’ not ‘any jobs’
Government response. The government acknowledged the value of the voluntary sector and stated it is actively collaborating with its representatives, and it is developing a mapping tool to audit and understand outreach partnership activity across its Jobcentre network, but it did not …
Department for Work and Pensions
16
Conclusion
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Deferred
The previous Government’s ‘ABC’ approach to employment support (any job, better job, career) has not worked. While it may move people off benefits in the short-term, it all too often does not lead to long-term, sustainable employment and exacerbates the low-pay, no-pay cycle. This is not a good outcome for …
Government response. The government committed to developing and testing a Flexible Delivery Network model, including mobile delivery vans in three geographies and a toolkit for community-based support, to address economic inactivity. However, it did not explicitly address the committee's call to move …
Department for Work and Pensions
17
Conclusion
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Deferred
As a first step to changing the approach of Jobcentres, DWP should return the period during which jobseekers can pursue opportunities in their preferred sector to 3 months. (Recommendation, Paragraph 92)
Government response. The government's response focuses on capital investment in Jobcentre physical infrastructure and the Workplace Transformation Programme, detailing efforts to improve building design and technology, which does not address the recommendation about the job search period for preferred sectors.
Department for Work and Pensions
18
Recommendation
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Deferred
DWP should incorporate the good work agenda into claimants’ benefit conditions. Work coaches should agree what constitutes a ‘good job’ for each claimant during a more personalised claimant commitment process. DWP should set out in response to this report how it will train and support work coaches to do this. …
Government response. The government's response describes its commitment to Jobcentre accessibility and inclusivity within the new Jobs and Careers Service, including exploring assistive technology and an evolving accessibility strategy, but does not address the recommendation on incorporating the 'good work agenda' into …
Department for Work and Pensions
19
Conclusion
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Deferred
We welcome the Government’s focus on ‘good work’. Currently, Jobcentres too often prioritise short-term measures, such as benefit off-flow, rather than whether claimants enter good-quality, sustainable employment. Good jobs are better for citizens, employers and the state, while supporting a productive economy. DWP has the opportunity to bring the good …
Government response. The government's response details changes to Jobcentre security services, including a new contract with Mitie, Security Officer training, and the use of modern technology to improve safety, which does not address the recommendation on shifting focus towards good-quality, sustainable employment.
Department for Work and Pensions
20
Recommendation
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Accepted in Part
To encourage Jobcentres to adopt longer-term thinking, DWP should add long-term employment metrics to its Jobcentre performance monitoring framework, such as whether people are still in work six or twelve months after leaving Jobcentres. DWP should also introduce metrics that can measure job quality, in addition to the information it …
Government response. The government partially accepts, stating they already measure sustained earnings over 3 and 6 months as part of their framework. However, they do not intend to introduce job quality metrics due to data limitations and suitability concerns, but are committed …
Department for Work and Pensions
21
Conclusion
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Rejected
The ‘any job’ approach has not just been detrimental to claimants: it has also led employers to stop engaging with Jobcentres. Employers will use Jobcentres if it helps them find good employees, but their experience of Jobcentre candidates is often of people forced to apply just to meet benefit conditions. …
Government response. The government rejects the conclusion that the 'any job' approach is detrimental, explaining the 'permitted period' policy for job search. While noting a shift away from 'any job' ethos in new services, they do not accept the recommendation at this …
Department for Work and Pensions
22
Recommendation
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Accepted in Part
DWP needs to rebuild trust with employers. This will require making better use of its network of Jobcentres and the employer advisers who work in them. To start, DWP should consider setting individual Jobcentres targets for engaging local employers. This engagement should go beyond a surface-level relationship and focus on …
Government response. The government partially accepts, supporting the intent to strengthen employer engagement and having launched an Employer Strategy. They are exploring metrics for local engagement and trialling a Recruitment Consultant role, but do not believe setting uniform targets for Jobcentres is …
Department for Work and Pensions
23
Recommendation
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Accepted
Jobcentres offer a golden opportunity for the Government to influence employers and to create more ‘good jobs’. DWP should work with the Department for Business and Trade to expand Jobcentre’s offer to employers. The two Departments should work together to develop a support offer on better employment practices, including guidance …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation, stating DWP is actively working with the Department for Business and Trade to embed employment support within sector plans and will explore further coordination. They are committed to formalising these partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding …
Department for Work and Pensions
24
Conclusion
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Accepted in Part
Many people who use Jobcentres have multiple and complex needs, which can act as barriers to them securing employment. Too often, issues that prevent people from finding jobs go unaddressed. Jobcentres and Jobcentre staff will not be able to address these barriers on their own. If DWP is serious about …
Government response. The government partially accepts, recognising the value of the voluntary sector and committing to actively collaborate with them for the new Jobs and Careers service. They are also developing a mapping tool to audit and baseline existing outreach partnership activity …
Department for Work and Pensions
25
Recommendation
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Accepted in Part
DWP should improve how it works with the voluntary and community sector, but first it needs to understand its current position. DWP should undertake an audit of its existing partnership work. It should use this to develop new operational models and to identify opportunities for better local partnerships, such as …
Government response. The government partially accepts, committing to actively collaborate with the voluntary and community sector and develop a mapping tool to audit and baseline existing outreach partnership activity across the Jobcentre network. This tool will standardise data collection to inform a …
Department for Work and Pensions
26
Recommendation
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Accepted
DWP needs to break Jobcentres out of their four walls. It should make outreach work, with staff taking Jobcentre services into the community and to locations that people trust, a core part of the new service. DWP should include larger-scale outreach work in its pathfinders for the new jobs and …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation, developing a Flexible Delivery Network model to bring DWP support into local communities. They are testing mobile delivery via vans, designing a toolkit for community-based delivery, and using a mapping tool to identify further outreach …
Department for Work and Pensions
27
Conclusion
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Accepted
Jobcentres are not places that people want to go to. They are often run-down and lack basic facilities, including accessibility features. An intimidating security presence can create additional barriers for some. It will be important that when people walk through the door of the new service, it does not look …
Government response. The government accepts the observation, committing to transform Jobcentre spaces through capital investment and the Workplace Transformation Programme. They are creating Innovation Hubs to test new designs and improve customer experience, aiming to make Jobcentres more welcoming.
Department for Work and Pensions
28
Recommendation
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Accepted
In its response to this report, DWP should set out how it will use its increased capital funds to revitalise the Jobcentre estate. DWP needs to make more of its Jobcentre spaces and it should make sure that the physical infrastructure is adaptable to local needs and can support co- …
Government response. The government accepts, detailing the Workplace Transformation Programme, capital investment, and Innovation Hubs to revitalise and adapt Jobcentre spaces. They are also implementing a comprehensive asset management strategy to prevent future dilapidation.
Department for Work and Pensions
29
Recommendation
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Accepted
It is not acceptable that some Jobcentres remain inaccessible to some of the people who most need their support. In its response, DWP should set out its plan for ensuring that every Jobcentre meets full accessibility requirements. (Recommendation, Paragraph 132)
Government response. The government partially accepts, stating current Jobcentres are compliant and outlining a comprehensive, continually evolving accessibility strategy. This includes embedding accessibility into new service design, exploring assistive technology, implementing measurable actions to resolve issues, and transparent monitoring and reporting.
Department for Work and Pensions
30
Recommendation
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Accepted in Part
Jobseekers are not criminals and shouldn’t be greeted at Jobcentres by security guards. DWP should make security guards much less visible in Jobcentres, with a more welcoming presence when people enter. (Recommendation, Paragraph 133)
Government response. The government partially accepts, stating they will ensure Security Officers are available for safety but will make them more approachable through new uniforms and training. They will also improve safety through technology, rather than solely relying on security guards, and …
Department for Work and Pensions
31
Conclusion
4th Report – Get Britain Working: Refor…
Acknowledged
We welcome the Government’s commitment to develop a locally tailored and embedded service. Local areas are best placed to understand the needs of their population and labour markets. Jobcentres need to be aware of the different local needs of people in their areas, particularly the needs of those who face …
Government response. The government welcomes the commitment to develop a locally tailored and embedded service, recognizing the importance of local areas understanding the needs of their population and labour markets.
Department for Work and Pensions
1
Conclusion
5th Report - Get Britain Working: Creat…
Accepted
Careers advice helps people achieve their potential, improving employment outcomes, as well as unlocking huge productivity gains with significant economic benefits. However, careers advice in England is a patchwork of services that lacks cohesion and is confusing and fragmented. Overall responsibility for adult careers guidance has fallen between the Department …
Government response. The government agrees with the committee's assessment and will bring adult careers advice provision, currently delivered by the National Careers Service, in-house to the DWP from 30 September 2026 to create a single integrated employment and careers support service.
Department for Work and Pensions
2
Recommendation
5th Report - Get Britain Working: Creat…
Rejected
DWP and DfE should work together to develop a strategy for adult careers guidance. This should be based on an audit of the current career offerings and an assessment of the population’s needs. It should provide an overarching framework and objectives for any careers-related initiatives to follow. The strategy should …
Government response. The government explicitly rejects the recommendation, stating that following the transfer of adult careers responsibility to DWP, a separate careers guidance strategy would risk their integrated Jobs and Careers Service vision. They confirm extensive prior research and will consider a …
Department for Work and Pensions
3
Recommendation
5th Report - Get Britain Working: Creat…
Acknowledged
The National Careers Service (NCS) is an under-valued and under-utilised resource. Due to a lack of funding and pressure to meet unhelpful targets, careers advisers often can’t spend enough time with people and have to focus on low impact interventions. There is also limited awareness of careers advice among Jobcentre …
Government response. The government commits to preserving the distinct roles of careers advisers and fostering collaboration with work coaches within the new integrated service, retaining current qualification standards. It is exploring the development of a dedicated training pathway for careers advisers, with …
Department for Work and Pensions
4
Recommendation
5th Report - Get Britain Working: Creat…
Accepted
DWP should review the funding and funding model for careers advice. It should develop a more strategic model that funds additional sessions for those for whom it will deliver the greatest impact and value for money, and in areas with greatest need. As it develops its new jobs and careers …
Government response. The government commits to developing robust performance measures for the new Jobs and Careers Service, building on the "Get Britain Working" outcomes (April 2025) to create specific outcome measures for careers advice. Its evaluation strategy is currently under development and …
Department for Work and Pensions
5
Conclusion
5th Report - Get Britain Working: Creat…
Acknowledged
Integrating careers advice into Jobcentres is an exciting opportunity: the culture of careers advice, with its focus on the individual and long-term outcomes, offers a blueprint to improve the culture of Jobcentres. However, there are risks that DWP will have to manage. Careers advice is a skilled profession, requiring qualities …
Government response. The government states that responsibility for adult careers transferred from DfE to DWP on 16 September 2025, with a commitment to maintaining alignment with DfE's provision for young people. It plans for adult careers support to be primarily digital self-service, …
Department for Work and Pensions
6
Recommendation
5th Report - Get Britain Working: Creat…
Accepted
As part of the new service, DWP should protect the distinct role and skills of careers advisors. It will also need to define the future relationship between careers advisers and work coaches, which will be critical to the success of the new service. In its response to this report, DWP …
Government response. The government commits to publishing a detailed transition plan within the next six months, which will outline how the National Careers Service and Jobcentre Plus will be brought together to deliver a unified service and provide clarity to employees and …
Department for Work and Pensions
7
Recommendation
5th Report - Get Britain Working: Creat…
Accepted in Part
In the next 6 months, DWP should write to us with details of how it will measure the performance of the new jobs and careers service. This should include outcome measures for careers advice that capture the steps people take as part of their career journey, and which will encourage …
Government response. The government partially accepts, committing to develop robust performance measures for the new Jobs and Careers Service, including specific outcome measures for careers advice, building on the Get Britain Working outcomes. They state the evaluation strategy is under development and …
Department for Work and Pensions
8
Recommendation
5th Report - Get Britain Working: Creat…
Accepted
DWP has yet to set out how it will bring together Jobcentres and the NCS, putting service delivery at risk. NCS providers are operating under uncertainty, with no clarity about the future of contracts that are currently managed by DfE. The Government is also yet to clarify how the new …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation, acknowledging the need for clarity. It commits to publishing a detailed transition plan within the next six months, outlining how the National Careers Service and Jobcentre Plus will be integrated into a unified Jobs and …
Department for Work and Pensions
9
Recommendation
5th Report - Get Britain Working: Creat…
Accepted
In its response to this inquiry, the Government should provide clarity on: • the accountability arrangements for its new jobs and careers service and for adult careers services generally, including any joint arrangements between DfE and DWP; • the planned arrangements for the jobs and careers service in Scotland and …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation, clarifying that accountability for adult careers transferred to DWP. They will work closely with devolved governments for Scotland and Wales, and state that anyone seeking work, increased earnings, or a career change will be able …
Department for Work and Pensions
10
Recommendation
5th Report - Get Britain Working: Creat…
Accepted
The Government must also provide more certainty to staff and contractors. In the next 6 months, DWP should publish a transition plan for the NCS, setting out how it will be integrated into a new jobs and careers service and how contracts will be managed in the meantime. It should …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation, committing to provide clarity to staff and contractors. It will publish a detailed transition plan for the National Careers Service within the next six months, outlining its integration into the new jobs and careers service …
Department for Work and Pensions