News

A new report about the government’​s work programme, “​The introduction of the Work Programme”​ by the National Audit Office (NAO) is described as “​scathing​”​ by the shadow employment minister, Stephen Timms MP.

The report concludes the government has significantly over-estimated how many people will be helped into employment through the work programme. The government estimate of 40% of people being able to attain employment through the programme is disputed by the NAO, who instead assert only 25% of over-25s will be assisted into employment. Interestingly the report also highlights the fact that fewer referrals are being made to the work programme for people claiming employment and support allowance (ESA) or incapacity benefit (IB) than those claiming
jobseeke​r’​s allowance (JSA).

Furthermore the report draws attention to the cost of the work programme and to the government’​s failure to properly implement the programme, including its failure to consider alternative schemes.

The full report can be found on the NAO’​s website.

A BBC report can be found here

Thanks to Gordon for spotting this.