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
2
Accepted in Part
Para 50
Expand Youth Hub eligibility for economically inactive young people not claiming Universal Credit
Recommendation
DWP Youth Hubs offer vital services to young people and the provision of mental health support services in all Youth Hubs is a critical part of that. However, not all young people who need this support are currently able to …
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Government Response Summary
The government announced expanded access to the Youth Offer for young people on Universal Credit, but states that extending services to economically inactive young people not claiming Universal Credit remains at the discretion of individual Youth Hubs or their partners.
Department for Work and Pensions
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5
Accepted in Part
Para 53
Roll out Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care nationally with devolved administrations
Recommendation
We welcome the joint DWP and the DHSC Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (IPSPC) initiative that has tried out embedding employment support in mental health services for mild to moderate mental health conditions. The Department should work with …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the IPSPC programme already targets individuals with both physical and mental health conditions and is being extended to support more disabled people in England. While health is devolved, they commit to sharing expertise and exploring opportunities for wider availability of evidence-based models with devolved administrations.
Department for Work and Pensions
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10
Accepted in Part
Para 82
Support employers to create job roles and workplaces attractive to older workers.
Recommendation
Ageism in the workplace is an important issue that needs to be confronted if this demographic is to be successfully supported to stay in or re-enter employment. Employers should be supported by DWP to create job roles and a workplace …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it is committed to helping older workers through existing programmes like Midlife MOTs and engaging with the private sector. However, it does not propose to establish any new age-specific schemes for employers at this time.
Department for Work and Pensions
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23
Accepted in Part
Para 148
Launch targeted marketing campaign to raise Access to Work awareness among employers and disabled people
Recommendation
Access to Work is seen as being a very successful programme with positive impacts for claimants. However, employer awareness of the scheme is limited and there are many more people with a disability or health condition who could benefit from …
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Government Response Summary
The government has introduced Adjustments Passports to raise awareness of Access to Work among employers and disabled people and continues to explore new channels, but has not committed to launching a full marketing campaign as recommended.
Department for Work and Pensions
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33
Accepted in Part
Para 227
Devolve future employment support programmes to local authorities based on NHS care boundaries.
Recommendation
The current centralised delivery model for employment support does not make the most of local knowledge or expertise and promotes a one-size-fits-all approach to support design. A more devolved approach to support design and delivery would allow support to be …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation to automatically devolve all future employment support programmes, citing concerns about consistency and value for money. However, it commits to trialling a more devolved approach within the Greater Manchester and West Midlands Combined Authorities to evaluate its effectiveness before wider rollout.
Department for Work and Pensions
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34
Accepted in Part
Para 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 …
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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.
Department for Work and Pensions
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