Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 34
34
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 228
Establish a devolved employment support system within a national framework with DWP oversight.
Recommendation
DWP should establish a system of devolved support that sits within a National Framework where DWP maintains oversight of programmes to ensure that delivery is of a high and consistent standard, that value is delivered to the taxpayer and that consistent performance data is published for each area. DWP must make sure that lessons learned are shared by regions that are already operating under a more devolved model as devolution is broadened and accelerated.
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation to automatically devolve all employment support, preferring a programme-by-programme approach, but has committed to trialling a more devolved approach in specific 'Trailblazer' deals with Greater Manchester and West Midlands Combined Authorities to evaluate its effectiveness.
Paragraph Reference:
228
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The department’s employment support offer has several elements: a mixture of jobcentre support, national contracted provision and local contracted or grant-funded provision. The best delivery approach is decided on a programme-to-programme basis. Therefore, the department does not agree with the recommendation to automatically devolve all employment support to groups of local authorities in England and Wales, or other related recommendations. The department employs a nationwide framework with local delivery for contracted employment support in England and Wales for people who access support from Jobcentre Plus. This guarantees a consistent minimum provision for all citizens where the contracted employment programme applies (regardless of postcode), ensures value for money for the taxpayer and allows us to quickly adapt our offer to changing labour market conditions. There are potential risks to devolving contracted employment support including managing the different capacity and capabilities of different local areas, maintaining value-for-money and reduced response time to a national emergency. In the recently announced ‘Trailblazer’ devolution deals with Greater Manchester and West Midlands Combined Authorities, DWP has committed to trialling a more devolved approach to contracted employment programmes, including co-design and delegated delivery (subject to readiness conditions) in order to understand and evaluate this approach further, including exploring avenues to mitigate these risks. The department believes this is the best way to determine if this can offer a positive difference in outcomes and value-for-money before we consider further rollout. DWP will retain overall responsibility and accountability for the public funds behind employment support programmes during this and future trials.