Recommendations & Conclusions
13 items
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)
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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)
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Government response AI summary
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.
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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 …
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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 limited and sensible use of sanctions would go a long way to rebuilding trust in Jobcentres, removing the current stigma attached to them and enabling them to provide genuine employment support. (Conclusion, Paragraph 41)
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Government response AI summary
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 the committee's conclusion regarding the …
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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 …
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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 sanctions, where appropriate, such as further mandatory appointments; • including greater assessment of someone’s circumstances and reasons for a breach prior to a sanctioning decision; • improving the communication of sanction decisions to people, and • providing an easier route for decisions to be challenged. In its response to this report, DWP should explain to the Committee what steps it will take to develop this approach. If DWP does not plan to change how it uses sanctions, then we recommend that, in its response, the Government sets out its evidence that the current approach to sanctions improves employment outcomes, including consideration of the possible “deterrent effect”. We also recommend that, in the context of its reforms, DWP undertakes and publishes new research to update its evidence base, which is based on data from 2019. This should include research into the consequences of sanctions on people’s health and wellbeing. (Recommendation, Paragraph 42) 53
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Government response AI summary
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.
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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 …
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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 expect such an assessment to take place before any changes to Jobcentres and work coach support. (Recommendation, Paragraph 43) Empowering work coaches
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Government response AI summary
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.
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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 …
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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 current support provided. However, work coaches are already stretched, with too few employed to deliver this service currently. DWP will need to develop a clear plan for how it prioritises work coach time to deliver this higher-quality service and its other planned reforms. While DWP has already made some decisions about how best to use work coach time, reducing work coach time with some claimants, we are concerned that these changes are occurring in an ad hoc manner, with limited evidence and no clear strategy. (Conclusion, Paragraph 65) 54
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Government response AI summary
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 currently, deferring this until future …
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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 …
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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 demands of the new service with the available supply of work coaches; • a framework for deciding who it will prioritise for time with work coaches; • its understanding of how work coaches’ caseloads vary across different activities and between different Jobcentres; and • its plans for monitoring the changing demands on work coaches and managing future changes. (Recommendation, Paragraph 66)
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Government response AI summary
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 capacity.
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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. …
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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. While it is good to see the Government bringing Jobcentres into the modern world, we believe that digital tools alone won’t be able to deliver the level of transformation needed. In particular, we are concerned that DWP has not fully addressed the risks posed by AI technology. (Conclusion, Paragraph 76)
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Government response AI summary
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 the risks of AI technology.
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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 …
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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 it delivers a successful digital product that meets claimants’ needs. (Recommendation, Paragraph 77)
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Government response AI summary
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 about the 'Jobcentre in your …
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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 AI summary
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 address the recommendation to develop …
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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 …
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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 claimants, employers or the taxpayer. We are pleased to hear that DWP will no longer force people into ‘any job’ available, with support 55 instead to focus on building rewarding careers. DWP must now match its aspiration with action. DWP will need to be open to the fact that finding good jobs may initially involve people spending longer on out-of-work benefits, but it will deliver better value for money in the long-term, with them less likely to return to benefits in the future. (Conclusion, Paragraph 91)
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Government response AI summary
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 away from an 'any job' …
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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 AI summary
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.
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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. …
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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. (Recommendation, Paragraph 93)
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Government response AI summary
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 benefit conditions or work coach …
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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 …
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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 work agenda to life through its Jobcentre reforms. We look forward to hearing how DWP will deliver this important shift in focus. (Conclusion, Paragraph 98)
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Government response AI summary
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.
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Department for Work and Pensions