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
4
Rejected
Para 52
Establish an overarching funding structure and dedicated pot for all Youth Hubs
Recommendation
We welcome the expanded funding in Spring Budget 2023 for Youth Hubs. DWP need to establish an overarching funding structure and dedicated funding pot for Youth Hubs. DWP must also undertake an analysis of existing Youth Hubs to establish good …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the call for an overarching funding structure and dedicated pot for Youth Hubs, highlighting that various existing funding mechanisms are already utilised. However, it confirmed that a Process Evaluation and impact assessment of the Youth Offer are underway, with findings to be shared internally to inform future improvements.
Department for Work and Pensions
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6
Rejected
Para 54
Complete national rollout of Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care by March 2024
Recommendation
The Government should have the IPSPC initiative rolled out across the country by the end of this financial year in March 2024.
Government Response Summary
The government stated that IPSPC services will support 25,000 people in 41 local authorities by March 2025, rather than rolling out nationally by March 2024 as recommended. Learning from IPSPC will inform the national Universal Support program from 2024.
Department for Work and Pensions
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9
Rejected
Para 65
Produce employer hiring guide within six months encouraging flexible and part-time working opportunities
Recommendation
Many people are not able to work full-time, and a lack of suitable, flexible work is barring people from engaging with the labour market. This is particularly evident for people who have additional needs or responsibilities which make more traditional …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation to produce a new hiring guide, stating that it will instead work with existing initiatives and the Flexible Working Taskforce to encourage employers to sign-up to the 'Happy To Talk Flexible Working' strapline.
Department for Work and Pensions
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11
Rejected
Para 83
Establish an accreditation scheme to champion older workers and improve workplaces for over 50s.
Recommendation
DWP should establish a scheme which champions older workers and encourages employers to hire staff over the age of 50. This scheme should push to improve workplaces for older people by providing an outcomes-based accreditation to employers who can demonstrate …
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Government Response Summary
The government explicitly rejects establishing an age-specific scheme, accreditation, or data publication requirement for employers, instead highlighting existing initiatives like Midlife MOTs, employer engagement, and the Menopause Employment Champion to support older workers.
Department for Work and Pensions
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35
Rejected
Implement a devolved support model to separate employment support and benefit administration.
Recommendation
The two-fold responsibilities of DWP to both provide employment support and administer benefits can deter people from seeking support and damage the trust that claimants have in support services. A more devolved model of support should be used to engender …
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Government Response Summary
The government explicitly rejects the recommendation to separate employment support and benefit administration, asserting that conditionality remains a key lever for managing welfare spending.
Department for Work and Pensions
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37
Rejected
Para 243
Establish clear targets and measure performance for all programmes following OSR guidance.
Recommendation
DWP does not consistently set clear targets for its programmes or produce results against these targets. Where it has set targets previously, such as for Way to Work, these have been criticised as being inadequately defined and the results against …
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Government Response Summary
The government describes its existing process for agreeing aims and objectives and monitoring policy performance, but states that the appropriateness of public targets and monitoring varies case-by-case, implicitly rejecting the recommendation to consistently apply OSR guidance for all programmes.
Department for Work and Pensions
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Conclusions (2)
12
Conclusion
Rejected
18,400 employers now have Disability Confident accreditation, helping to encourage employers to recognise the importance of making the workplace accessible for disabled people. However, this scheme focuses on processes rather than outcomes. It does not do enough to ensure that impactful change is being made to the working lives of …
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the introduction of banded thresholds for the percentage of disabled people employers must employ for Disability Confident accreditation, arguing they don't necessarily lead to fulfilling employment. It did state that it will be improving scheme guidance following a review to ensure employers are aware of requirements.
27
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 159
With the withdrawal of the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA), there is no longer a dedicated self-employment support programme provided by DWP. Many people, including older people and disabled people, would benefit from the opportunity to start their own business as a way to engage with the labour market. DWP should …
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly states it does not plan to develop a new self-employment support programme or evaluate the NEA, instead highlighting existing external support mechanisms and DWP's Flexible Support Fund.