Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
1st Report – Employment support for disabled people: Connect to Work
Work and Pensions Committee
HC 77
Published 23 June 2026
Recommendations
7
DWP should outline how it intends to strengthen its operational processes to support a smoother...
Recommendation
DWP should outline how it intends to strengthen its operational processes to support a smoother operation of Connect to Work, including ensuring continuity in case management, updating the tools used for reviewing documentation, and reducing delays caused by slow or …
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12
We recommend that the government sets out its assessment of the adequacy of the cross-government...
Recommendation
We recommend that the government sets out its assessment of the adequacy of the cross-government support being provided to local authorities to enable them to provide a comprehensive offer of employment support to those who need it in their local …
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16
In response to this report, the government should clearly set out how it has applied...
Recommendation
In response to this report, the government should clearly set out how it has applied proportional and effective financial management to maximise the use of allocated resources across financial years. Additionally, this should include a detailed explanation of its consideration …
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18
The government should set out a clear commitment to the long-term future of the programme...
Recommendation
The government should set out a clear commitment to the long-term future of the programme beyond the current Spending Review period. This should include a written statement of intent confirming that the programme is 35 expected to continue, providing local …
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20
In its response to this report, the government should set out clearly how individuals affected...
Recommendation
In its response to this report, the government should set out clearly how individuals affected by gaps between the Work and Health Programme Pioneer and the rollout of Connect to Work will be supported going forward. This should include an …
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Conclusions (16)
1
Conclusion
We welcome the focus of Connect to Work on ensuring support is targeted at people who are currently out of paid employment and face the greatest barriers to employment, particularly disabled people and those with long- term health conditions. The evidence we have received suggests that its voluntary nature and …
2
Conclusion
We welcome Connect to Work’s solid foundations in internationally recognised supported employment models grounded in person-centred, values-based approaches, that are widely regarded as an effective framework for supporting disabled people into sustainable employment. The programme’s scale, national coordination, and delivery at a local level puts it in a good position …
3
Conclusion
We welcome the programme’s devolved design and recognise the government’s view that it appropriately balances national oversight with local flexibility. We are reassured that extensive performance monitoring is part of CtW, and that there is also a comprehensive evaluation programme built into CtW from the outset, providing a mechanism not …
4
Conclusion
The early implementation of Connect to Work presented notable challenges as delivery arrangements were established. Some local authorities reported that extensive administrative requirements at the outset slowed progress and complicated early delivery. While the programme’s model appropriately requires robust assurance mechanisms, these could have been applied more efficiently. We welcome …
5
Conclusion
In response to our report, we ask that DWP provide an update on programme mobilisation, including the agreement of delivery plans and what steps it took to reduce delays, and set out what lessons it has learned that could be applied to the rollout of similar employment support programmes in …
6
Conclusion
Support from DWP during the launch of Connect to Work was not consistent across areas. Differences in the quality and clarity of guidance, levels of engagement from Regional Engagement Leads, and the readiness of digital systems created challenges in the early stages of implementation. While some accountable bodies reported positive …
8
Conclusion
Early feedback from local authorities demonstrated confidence in their ability to source, retrain and redeploy staff, demonstrating strong local engagement. However, there is some misalignment between the readiness reported by local authorities at a commissioning level and the experience of commissioned delivery providers, particularly regarding access to suitably experienced practitioners. …
9
Conclusion
The effectiveness of employment support depends on the quality and expertise of those delivering it. Despite a shared skill base across programmes, providers continue to face challenges in recruiting and retaining staff with specialist expertise, reflecting wider labour market pressures. While the government has recognised the need for continued investment …
10
Conclusion
In response to this report, DWP should outline what assessment it has made of workforce capacity for Connect to Work. This should include whether workforce planning is in place, whether it thinks there are enough appropriately trained people to deliver CtW in line with the supported employment models, how emerging …
11
Conclusion
The success of Connect to Work will depend on how effectively it is integrated with wider local systems. We are encouraged to see that the government recognises the importance of this approach. One of the most effective ways of supporting this integration in practice is robust triaging at the point …
13
Conclusion
We support the national rollout of WorkWell. By strengthening coordination between health and employment services, WorkWell has the potential to support clearer pathways between programmes, including Connect to Work, and to contribute to wider system change. Effective arrangements for information sharing will be an important part of enabling this coordination; …
14
Conclusion
In response to this report DWP should clearly outline indicative delivery and rollout arrangements for WorkWell. This should include referral readiness and the point at which full delivery is expected in each Integrated Care Board (ICB), as well as how information will be shared between relevant partners, including local authorities, …
15
Conclusion
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 …
17
Conclusion
We welcome DWP’s intention to fund Connect to Work beyond the Spending Review period. It is encouraging that, as the programme was conceived from the outset as a multi-year intervention, early actions indicate a commitment to continuity. It is important that DWP maintains and strengthens this approach through firmer commitments, …
19
Conclusion
We heard evidence that some areas experienced a gap in provision where referrals to the Work and Health Programme Pioneer ended before Connect to Work was fully mobilised. Although the two programmes serve different cohorts, the absence of both in some localities meant that residents in need of support were …
21
Conclusion
The DWP should improve its forward planning by using a systems-based approach to minimise the risk of gaps in provision and maintain continuity of support for people who need employment assistance. This includes planning programme transitions in a way that ensures individuals are not left with limited or no support …