Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Accepted in Part
Increase transparency by regularly publishing jobcentre-level data on work coach numbers and into-work rates.
Recommendation
The Department does not publish data on work coach numbers or into-work rates, which means it is not clear how well local jobcentres are supporting claimants to work. The Department publishes data on its Stat-Xplore platform relating to the number of claimants in each Universal Credit labour market category at jobcentre level. It does not, however, publish data on work coach numbers compared with need or on jobcentre performance in helping people move into work. The NAO report presented work coach data for the Department’s seven regions and performance data for the regions and for the 37 districts. These data show substantial variation between different parts of the country. For example, from December 2023 to November 2024, the district into-work rate ranged from 5.5% in Birmingham and Solihull to 10.8% in Northern Scotland. There is also variation in the shortfall of work coaches at jobcentre level, and the Department seeks to manage the impact of the variation by having jobcentres with more work coaches support those with fewer. recommendation The Department should set out how it will increase transparency around jobcentres, for example by regularly publishing jobcentre level data on its Stat-Xplore platform, including data on work coach numbers against need and into-work rates. This regular reporting should start before the end of 2025. 5
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to develop a labour market publication strategy to increase transparency, expecting to publish into-work rates and some labour market data at a Jobcentre Plus District level. However, it will not publish data on Work Coach numbers as this data is not assured to official statistics quality standards.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
The government agrees with the Committee's recommendation. Recommendation implemented Growth within a sewerage catchment must not lead to a breach of environmental permits. The Environment Agency monitors and enforces compliance with environmental permits using its regulatory powers to protect the environment. Water companies, through their investment and planning functions, create the capacity for their wastewater assets to accommodate the additional capacity needed for growth. If this leads to a deterioration of performance, this may result in enforcement action, in line with the Environment Agency’s Enforcement and Sanctions Policy. A water company is also legally required to comply with its environmental permits as part of its licence of appointment. Again, noncompliance that contravenes this licence may result in enforcement action by Ofwat. The Environment Agency supports sustainable growth, ensuring that it does not cause permit breaches or environmental pollution. The water industry now has a statutory duty to produce Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs). These plans will outline how companies intend to extend, improve, and maintain a resilient drainage and wastewater system over the next 25 years, considering pressures from climate change, urban creep, and population growth. 3d. PAC recommendation: By the end of 2025, Ofwat must set out a clear path by which it could reopen the price review if needed to permit new investment that pertains to new housing developments, commercial developments and economic growth. The government agrees with the Committee's recommendation. Duty. On 15 March 2025, the Chief Executive of Ofwat wrote to water companies asking what more could be done to accelerate the delivery of major projects to support economic growth and remove the barriers to doing so. Ofwat has been assessing and developing ideas raised by companies in response. In order to allow increased flexibility of funding mechanisms for water companies, Ofwat consulted in July 2025 on a proposed in-period adjustment mechanism for critical cost areas where costs remain uncertain. This process will give companies earlier certainty over costs that will be recovered at the next price control period, and if necessary, provide access to additional revenue in this period. It covers several critical areas of investment including projects that may benefit new housing development, commercial developments and economic growth. Ofwat is also proposing to introduce greater flexibility into the regulatory framework through a mid-Asset Management Period (AMP) growth reopener. This mechanism would enable water companies to apply for additional funding during Asset Management Period 8 (2025–30) in response to higher-than-expected growth in population, households, or business demand, with adjustments made to allowed revenue at the end of AMP8. Companies would be able to submit proposals between March and May 2027, allowing Ofwat to assess whether they are on track with their existing AMP8 commitments before considering any additional allowances. To be eligible, companies must provide sufficient evidence in their proposal, such as evidence of growth in demand and what progress they have made in delivering their existing commitments.