Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Eighth Report - Plan for Jobs and employment support
Work and Pensions Committee
HC 600
Published 19 July 2023
Recommendations
1
Accepted
Para 49
Integrate mental health support and job readiness training into future DWP programmes for young people
Recommendation
The pandemic has led to a steep rise in mental health problems among young people. Whilst maintaining steady employment often helps people to sustain good mental health, problems with mental health are a principal barrier to employment for many 16-to-24-year-olds. …
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Government Response Summary
The government highlights close collaboration with DHSC and NHS and lists several existing and planned interventions, such as Employment Advisers in NHS Talking Therapies and the Universal Support programme, that integrate mental health support for young people. It also notes that DWP work coaches receive training to assist claimants with mental health conditions.
Department for Work and Pensions
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18
Accepted
Para 116
Ensure maximum take-up and monitor accessibility of the new Mid-life MOT website.
Recommendation
Some over 50s who stopped working after the pandemic may not have the financial security they need to support themselves for the rest of their lives. We welcome the new Midlife MOT website launched by DWP on 5 July 2023 …
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Government Response Summary
The government confirms it is already delivering Midlife MOTs in Jobcentres and piloting them through private sector suppliers, alongside an enhanced digital offer, directly addressing the committee's call for in-person services. It also highlights ongoing efforts to engage employers and promote age-inclusive workforce policies.
Department for Work and Pensions
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25
Accepted
Para 150
Update Access to Work document submission process to allow all documentation online by 2023
Recommendation
The Access to Work system is outdated and often unable to accept online document submission or e-signatures. A system that requires applications and claims must be 84 Plan for Jobs and employment support sent in by hand acts as a …
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Government Response Summary
The government confirms that a new online process for Access to Work grant claims was introduced in June 2023, enabling customers to submit new claims, upload evidence, and have claims digitally countersigned, fully addressing the recommendation before the specified deadline.
Department for Work and Pensions
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26
Accepted
Para 152
Review Disability Employment Adviser numbers and enhance specialist support for disabled Jobcentre users
Recommendation
In line with our recommendation in our Disability employment gap Report, we recommend that DWP should review the number of DEAs and the support that Jobcentre Plus staff receive on supporting disabled people. DWP need to ensure that there is …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that all work coaches and DEAs already undergo comprehensive and ongoing learning, which is regularly reviewed. The DEA role was also redesigned in 2019 to provide specialist health-related coaching and support.
Department for Work and Pensions
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29
Accepted
Para 181
Re-focus DWP programmes on sustainable employment and publish long-term outcome metrics
Recommendation
The Way to Work campaign focused on moving people into work as quickly as possible, without considering whether this work was suitable or sustainable in the long-term. This approach may reduce unemployment in the short-term, but the long-term positive impacts …
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Government Response Summary
The government asserts that DWP already provides comprehensive support for individuals to achieve sustained and quality employment, citing the In-Work Progression offer and Restart scheme's focus on sustained outcomes. It also states that its employment support programmes undergo comprehensive evaluation, measuring and reporting on long-term employment and benefit outcomes externally.
Department for Work and Pensions
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31
Accepted
Para 191
Provide continued employment support to vulnerable claimants transitioning into work for 3-6 months.
Recommendation
DWP’s employment support services do not currently offer much support beyond the point of securing employment. People who have multiple or complex barriers to employment or who have been unemployed for a long time are often seen as Plan for …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating its Universal Support program will provide personalised in-work support for up to 12 months for at-risk claimants, exceeding the recommended 3-6 months. It also highlights an increase in the Administrative Earnings Threshold and a new voluntary in-work progression offer for low earners.
Department for Work and Pensions
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32
Accepted
Para 207
Introduce pilot of Jobs Plus programme with community development approach in high unemployment areas.
Recommendation
Support that is tailored to the needs of the individual produces better long-term results that not only gets people into work but helps them overcome the barriers to employment that were preventing them from gaining and sustaining employment. If these …
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Government Response Summary
The government is supportive of the Jobs Plus concept and will be implementing a pilot scheme based on the Jobs Plus model.
Department for Work and Pensions
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Conclusions (4)
17
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 106
Creating opportunities for older workers to remain active in the labour market for longer is important for reducing economic inactivity. The Government’s Returnerships initiative looks to support older workers to change career but does not attempt to reduce the loss of industry experience and expertise that this will entail. DWP …
Government Response Summary
The government stated that its specialist 50 Plus Champions already facilitate employer-led mentoring workshops, which can be sector-specific, and the Taking Teaching Further program supports over 50s in sharing their industry expertise as FE teachers.
20
Conclusion
Accepted
The Restart scheme has seen an underspend against its budget since it was launched in 2021. Despite this, strict eligibility criteria mean that many people who would benefit from the support of the programme are not able to access help. Where there are programme underspends or lower than expected uptake …
Government Response Summary
The government explained the past underspend was due to quicker economic recovery and they already expanded eligibility from 12-18 months to 9 months in Intensive Work Search. They did not commit to further expansion for the economically inactive or new publicity.
22
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 140
We welcome that the Department has already responded positively to our request to publish Restart statistics regularly. The previous lack of transparency around how the programme was performing and its employment outcomes for participants had prevented valuable external assessment of the scheme and limited DWP’s accountability for the programme outcomes. …
Government Response Summary
The government states it already produces and publishes statistics for its employment programmes and will continue to develop future publications for transparency.
24
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 149
DWP should roll out the Work Adjustment Passport for everyone who receives support from Access to Work to support people transitioning into work or between jobs. This would make it easier to access support and obtain adjustments quickly.
Government Response Summary
DWP has already rolled out two tailored Adjustments Passports nationally for disabled jobseekers and armed forces service leavers, with a third for university students due in Autumn 2023. Work is underway to develop a generic passport.