Recommendation 15

The funding profile for CtW exposes some rigidity in how departmental resources are being managed across financial years, particularly where delivery does not align with planned timelines. The indication that any unspent funding from delays to Connect to Work would not be carried forward into 2026–27 or kept within the programme raises concerns about how effectively the department is using its allocated budget. Moreover, this rigidity contrasts with the urgency expressed by ministers to move people into work and risks undermining those efforts. The Committee is concerned that the Department are not exploring all options to maximise and retain CtW funding reflecting this urgency and the need to scale up CtW support. (Conclusion, Paragraph 73)