Recommendations & Conclusions
16 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 …
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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 blanket conditions can be stressful and can leave people feeling disempowered and unsupported. We welcome the Government’s undertaking to review the claimant commitment, including trialling changes to the commitment. However, we would have liked to have heard from DWP about more substantial plans to reform this crucial part of the benefits process to make it a meaningful part of people’s journey to work. We are concerned that the only change DWP told us about was splitting the claimant commitment meeting into two meetings, which does not fill us with confidence about DWP’s ambitions. (Conclusion, Paragraph 22)
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Government response AI summary
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 further based on initial Pathfinder …
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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)
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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)
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Government response AI summary
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 gather feedback, review policy, and …
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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 …
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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 Jobcentre appointments will change and whether there will be a new process for monitoring benefit compliance. We are concerned that without meaningful change in these areas the opportunity of these reforms will be lost. (Conclusion, Paragraph 30)
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Government response AI summary
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 their belief in conditionality and …
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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 …
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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 employment. What time they do have is frequently poorly directed, with too little time spent building relationships and coaching people into work, and too much spent checking compliance with benefit conditions. (Conclusion, Paragraph 63)
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Government response AI summary
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 capabilities.
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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, …
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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, they are likely to only temporarily be out of the workforce. As part of this, DWP should look at evidence-based options for empowering work coaches, including how to give them greater autonomy over how best to support individual claimants while maintaining a consistent service. It should also look at best practice among other providers of employment support, including voluntary and community sector organisations, which we have heard can provide a more tailored service. DWP should publish the results of this review. (Recommendation, Paragraph 64)
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Government response AI summary
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 further evaluations to follow.
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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 …
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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 on recruiting, retaining and training a more diverse workforce. (Recommendation, Paragraph 110) Integrating and improving services
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Government response AI summary
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 to strengthen alignment across government.
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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 …
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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 careers service. (Recommendation, Paragraph 122)
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Government response AI summary
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 opportunities.
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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 …
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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 and feel similar to now. Such an outcome would undermine what DWP is trying to achieve and be a missed opportunity. (Conclusion, Paragraph 130)
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Government response AI summary
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.
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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- …
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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- location of services. It should also explain how it will prevent the estate becoming dilapidated in the future. (Recommendation, Paragraph 131)
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Government response AI summary
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.
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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)
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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)
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Government response AI summary
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.
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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 …
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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 for Education (DfE), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and local government, with no coherent guiding strategy. (Conclusion, Paragraph 24)
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Government response AI summary
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.
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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 …
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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 service, DWP should also review its incentives model for careers advice providers, ensuring it is aligned with the Government’s wider employment goals. (Recommendation, Paragraph 27) 18 Delivering a new jobs and careers service
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Government response AI summary
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 will be shared with the …
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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 …
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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 should set out its plans to support and develop careers advisers within the new jobs and careers service. This should include developing a training pathway for careers advisers(in addition to its planned coaching academy for work coaches) that continues to take advisers through their professional qualifications. (Recommendation, Paragraph 36)
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Government response AI summary
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 contractors.
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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 …
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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 service will operate in devolved administrations or where accountability will sit. The lack of detail has also led to significant concern for staff, whose buy-in will be vital to delivering the plans. The Government must urgently fill this information void. (Conclusion, Paragraph 43)
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Government response AI summary
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 Careers Service.
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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 …
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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 Wales, where careers support is a devolved matter, including how it will ensure consistency across Great Britain and avoid duplication in devolved settings; and 19 • any eligibility criteria for accessing careers support through the new jobs and careers service, including age limits. (Recommendation, Paragraph 44)
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Government response AI summary
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 to access support, with tailored …
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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 …
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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 also commit to consulting with the unions representing staff in Jobcentres and the NCS. (Recommendation, Paragraph 45) 20
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Government response AI summary
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 and how contracts will be …
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Department for Work and Pensions