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http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2009/august-2009/
- 20 July 2009Report of the C&AG on the Department for Work and Pensions Resource Accounts 2008-09
- 20 July 2009Press Release: Department for Work and Pensions: Resource Accounts 2008-09
- 07 May 2009Department for Work and Pensions: Communicating with customers
- 07 May 2009Press Release: Department for Work and Pensions: Communicating with customers
- 01 May 2009Department for Work and Pensions: Management of benefit overpayment debt
- 01 May 2009Press Release: Management of benefit overpayment debt
- 26 February 2009Supporting Carers to Care
- 26 February 2009Press Release: Department for Work and Pensions Supporting carers to care
The Government is undertaking a landmark reform of the UK pensions system designed to deliver increased financial security for an ageing population. In 2005 the independent Pensions Commission published the report "A New Pension Settlement for the Twenty-First Century", containing a series of recommendations for long term reform. Following an extensive programme of national consultation aimed at building a genuine broad based consensus, the Government’s first White Paper was published in May 2006 Security in Retirement: towards a new pensions system. The first phase of the reforms was completed with the Pensions Act 2007 becoming law in July 2007. Measures in this Act were largely focussed on reforming the state pensions system.
A second White Paper, Personal Accounts: a new way to save, published in December 2006, contained further proposals, with an emphasis on encouraging private saving. These measures were legislated for in the Pensions Act 2008, which became law in November 2008.
The Pensions Act 2007
In July 2007 The Pensions Act legislated for the reforms to the State Pension system set out in the first of these White Papers. Measures in the Act will, over the coming years, make the state system more generous, fairer to women and carers, and more widely available. The Act also created the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority to advise on the introduction of a new, simple, low cost pensions savings vehicle.
The Pensions Act 2008
In November 2008 the Pensions Act 2008 introduced measures aimed at encouraging greater private saving. Most of the measures in the Act will come into effect from 2012. Key measures include a duty on employers to automatically enrol all eligible workers into a good quality workplace pension scheme (provided they are not already in such a scheme) and provide a minimum contribution. It also allows for the establishment of a new scheme (currently known as personal accounts) a simple, low-cost pensions savings vehicle aimed at those currently without access to a workplace pension scheme. In addition the Act will broaden the remit of the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority giving it powers to enable it to establish the infrastructure for the personal account scheme.
The Enabling Retirement Savings Programme
The Enabling Retirement Savings Programme is responsible for delivering the workplace pension reforms in the Pensions Act 2008. It is made up of the three bodies jointly responsible for delivering the reforms: DWP, the Pensions Regulator, and the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority.
Deregulatory Review
The Government response (311KB)
to the findings of the independent Deregulatory Review was published on 22 October 2007. The response set out proposals for change and sought views. The consultation period ended on 15 November. The response to the consultation (91KB) was published on 5 December 2007.
A Consultation on risk sharing (2MB) was published on 5 June 2008.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/pensions-reform/
10 November 2009 – Publication of DWP research report 575: A qualitative study of satisfaction and dissatisfaction with Jobcentre Plus; an exploration of issues identified in the 2007 Customer Satisfaction Survey with a particular focus on those most likely to be dissatisfied.
A report is published today by the Department for Work and Pensions on the findings of in-depth, qualitative research among Jobcentre Plus customers and staff about the drivers of customer satisfaction and dissatisfaction with Jobcentre Plus services. The research was aimed at exploring the issues identified in the 2007 Customer Satisfaction Survey (DWP RR 480).
Although Jobcentre Plus has always followed up with a range of customer groups from the satisfaction surveys, this particular report departs in an important way from previous work as it’s the first time that the 'dissatisfied' group has been probed in detail. The aim is to gain further understanding of this group to help improve customer services. The Department and Jobcentre Plus conduct regular surveys into customer satisfaction. Ministers acknowledge that some customers are dissatisfied and will work with senior officials to address this.
The key findings of the qualitative research were:
- Most staff perceived customers to be satisfied with Jobcentre Plus services, and that any problems tend to be focused with a minority of individuals.
- Staff believed higher satisfaction levels amongst lone parents (as shown by the 2007 survey) were due to greater and more varied support available to lone parents in overcoming barriers to work, the scope for building a supportive rapport between lone parents and Lone Parent Advisers, and the voluntary nature of provision and requirements such as Work Focused Interviews (WFIs).
- Customers and staff agreed that satisfaction with the new claims process is influenced by the speed, accuracy and efficiency of data gathering and processing, and how customers are treated by staff.
- The timeliness (i.e. appointments happening on time) and privacy of Work Focused Interviews (WFIs) and Fortnightly Job Reviews (FJRs) are considered important in driving customer satisfaction.
- Both customers and staff identified that staff’s detailed up to date knowledge, being treated with respect, and being provided with professional and individualised services were important for good quality customer service.
- Causes of dissatisfaction amongst some JSA customers included a perception that training opportunities open to them through Jobcentre Plus are relatively limited, and that they can be sanctioned if they do not demonstrate that they are actively seeking and available for work.
- The effectiveness of Fortnightly Job Reviews (FJRs) was questioned by customers and staff because of limited time available for job search.
- Some customers felt like complaining but often did not. Reasons included the fact that staff were able to resolve their concerns before they made a formal complaint, and being put off by the formality of the complaints process.
- Customers said the open plan Jobcentre layout provided a more inclusive atmosphere and a less segregated office. Both staff and customer respondents reported that the lack of privacy in Jobcentre Plus offices was a problem.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2009/november-2009/dwp062-...
- 09 December 2009 – Publication of DWP research reports 619, 620 and 621: Evaluation of Access to Work (Core Evaluation, Individual Budgets pilot, and Ministerial Government Departments)
- 09 December 2009 – Disabled people to get right to control services
- 07 December 2009 – Radical overhaul of support for people with mental health conditions
- 07 December 2009 – Extra employment help for carers from today
- 01 December 2009 – Training for success: Chelsea Boss Carlo Ancelotti backs new training programme to help people into work
- 01 December 2009 – Publication of DWP research report 606: ‘the lone parent pilots 24-36 month: the final impact assessment of In-Work Credit, Work Search Premium, Extended Schools Childcare, quarterly work focussed interviews and New Deal Plus for Lone Parents'
- 26 November 2009 – Publication of DWP research report 613: exploring the nature of unappointed face-to-face contacts in Jobcentre Plus offices
- 13 November 2009 – More families will be lifted out of poverty as landmark Welfare Reform Act gets Royal Assent
- 12 November 2009 – Publication of DWP research report No. 617: Understanding Small Employers’ likely Responses to the Workplace Pension Reforms: Report of a Qualitative Study
- 12 November 2009 – Government listens to grandparents’ opinions
- 11 November 2009 – DWP Quarterly Statistical Summary
- 11 November 2009 – 35,000 more jobs to be created for the long term unemployed as new figures show rise in numbers in work
- 10 November 2009 – Publication of DWP research report 575: A qualitative study of satisfaction and dissatisfaction with Jobcentre Plus; an exploration of issues identified in the 2007 Customer Satisfaction Survey with a particular focus on those most likely to be dissatisfied
- 09 November 2009 – Publication of DWP research report 612: A scoping study on the added value of a longitudinal survey of working age customers of jobcentre plus and the pensions disability and carers service
- 06 November 2009 – Government takes action so more people can get help with their council tax
- 04 November 2009 – Fraud and Error in the Benefit System: April 2008 to March 2009
- 02 November 2009 – More help with housing costs for working families
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/
Research published today by the Department for Work and Pensions explores the impact of both work entry and exit as well as progression and retention on the poverty status of families with children. It was undertaken by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and was based on analysis of data from the Department’s Families and Children Study collected in 2001-2006.
The main findings were:
- Moving into work is an important factor in lifting families out of poverty: 73% of fathers1, 63% of mothers in couples and 60% of lone mothers exit poverty upon work entry (65% among all parents combined).
- Those absent from work for longer are less likely to exit poverty when they enter work.
- 32% of parents enter poverty when they leave work but 7% of lone mothers exit poverty when they leave work.
- The proportion of lone mothers in work for three years, and who are in poverty, declines substantially from 37% in the month of work entry to 18% at the end of three years.
- 59% of lone mothers experience poverty at some point over the three years in work. But although the proportion always in poverty is considerably higher for lone mothers (23%) than mothers in couples in the first year, this proportion is much smaller and closer to that for mothers in couples after three years (5%),
1 Includes both fathers in couples and the very small number of lone fathers in the survey
- The proportion of mothers in couples in work for three years and in poverty gradually declines from 11% to a low of 7 % at around twenty months but it then rises to reach 9% by 36 months after work entry. But only 3% of this group remain in poverty throughout the three years.
- The pattern for fathers is similar, with a downward trend from 22% in poverty in the month of work entry for the first two years followed by a rise in the third year, with 16 % of fathers in poverty at the end of three years.
- For both groups the small upturn in poverty is driven by those in part-time work or mini-jobs
- There was no evidence that training raises the probability of poverty exit during the first three years following work entry, there is some evidence to suggest that job-related training may help guard against poverty entry in the longer term.
Background to the research
Parents’ work entry, progression and retention and child poverty by James Browne and Gillian Paull. DWP Research Report Series No. 626 will be published on January 21st 2010. A summary and copy of the report is available on the DWP website: http//www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/.
The Families and Children Study is a longitudinal study that surveys the same families each year asking about a range of topics including employment, income, health and childcare. It started in 1999 and the final wave of data collection was in 2008.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2010/january-2010/dwp014-1...
Long-term Jobseekers Allowance claimants will be given the guarantee of a job or work placement as part of the Government’s radical next stage of welfare reform.
Publishing a Command Paper – Building Bridges to Work, the Government will offer all JSA claimants who have been out of work for two years a guaranteed job or work placement to prevent long term unemployment as the economy recovers. Claimants will be required to take up the offer if they cannot find other work to make sure people who lost their jobs during recession aren’t left to a life on benefits.
Alongside this, the Government is today laying regulations to abolish old style Incapacity Benefit and announcing new measures for those on sickness benefits. From October all Incapacity Benefits claimants will be reassessed with a new Work Capability Assessment which looks at what they can do and what help they need, rather than on whether they could do their previous job.
More people are expected to be found fit for work and they will be given extra intensive support from Day one to help them into work. People moving onto the new style Employment and Support Allowance will also be given more personalised help with stronger conditions attached so they can prepare to return to work in future.
Today’s measures will help deliver over £1.5bn pounds in savings from welfare reform over the next four years that are now built into the Treasury budget plans.
Government action has already kept unemployment much lower than expected, and the number of people on sickness benefits has fallen slightly during the recession compared to big increases in the 80s and 90s.
Work and Pensions Secretary of State, Yvette Cooper said:
"As the economy recovers, we have to make sure no one is left behind. In the 80s and 90s too many people were abandoned to long term unemployment or sickness benefits, pushing families into poverty, devastating communities and hurting the economy and the taxpayer too. That's why it is more important than ever to press ahead with extra help and welfare reform.
"This is a "something for something" approach which gives people more help alongside a responsibility to take it up so that no one who is fit for work is left to a life on benefits.
"Getting people back to work is good for families, boosts local economies and helps the public finances too"
Additional help to disabled people will be made available with the creation of a new Work Choice programme from October as well as expanding the Access to Work programme.
The new employment support including the Jobseekers Guarantee will be funded within DWP existing budgets by reshaping the help for long term unemployed through Job Centre Plus and changing the £300m Pathways programme which is not flexible or cost effective enough.
The Command Paper outlines:
- A new guarantee for the long term unemployed of a job or work placement – with a requirement to take it up for those who have been unable to find work for more than two years. Jobs will be provided through extending the Future Jobs Fund as well as private sector and voluntary sector internships and work placements.
- A major overhaul of support and conditions for those on long term sickness benefits including the abolition of old style Incapacity Benefit, and over 10,000 long term claimants each week to be reassessed according to the new Work Capability Assessment which looks at what they can do not what they can’t.
- Changes to the Work Capability Assessment to take better account of people’s ability to adapt to their disability, as well as to be more sensitive to fluctuating conditions such as ME and multiple sclerosis.
- For those whom it would be unreasonable to expect them to move towards work, the ESA Support Group provides additional financial support without the back-to-work activity.
- New personalised support, conditions and timetables for reassessment for those who are currently not fit for work but may be able to work in future – so they can prepare for work.
- Increased investment and a guaranteed place on Work Choice for ESA customers who have been on benefit for more than 2 years and who want to work.
- Extra intensive help for those found fit for work who have been out of work for years to get them early access to the training and work experience they need to get a job – including support to help manage heath conditions in the work place and specialist help in looking for and applying for jobs.
The Government expects that the reforms to Incapacity Benefit and Employment Support Allowance will deliver over £1.5bn of savings over the next five years and these are built into the Treasury plans. This is on top of £14bn savings from lower than expected unemployment and a further £1.5bn savings from getting more lone parents into work.
Notes to Editors:
1) The Building Bridges to Work Command paper can be found at: www.dwp.gov.uk/publications
2) For more information about the Governments welfare reforms please visit www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/welfare-reform/legislation-and-key-documents/building-bridges-to-work/
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2010/march-2010/dwp060-10-...
The latest national statistics on Housing Benefit / Council Tax Benefit caseload were released on 16th June 2010.
This monthly release also contains latest experimental statistics on early estimates for the working age income support lone parent client group (ISLP) and employment and support allowance and incapacity benefit client group (ESA/IB).
These key points from the latest monthly release are:
- At March 2010, the total number of people receiving Housing Benefit was 4.72 million, with 5.74 million receiving Council Tax Benefit.
- A new breakdown shows that over 3.76 million Housing Benefit recipients were single, with two-thirds of these being female. Of the 1.54 million recipients with at least one child dependent, just over one million were single.
- The working age income support lone parent client group early estimate caseload figure at 30th April 2010 is 675 thousand. The latest National Statistics figure for this client group stands at 696 thousand in November 2009.
- The early estimate of the working age ESA/incapacity benefits client group at 30 April 2010 is 2.615 million. The latest National Statistics figure for this client group stands at 2.62 million in November 2009.
- The age at which women reach State Pension age will gradually increase from 60 to 65 between April 2010 and April 2020. The changes will introduce a small increase to the number of working age benefit recipients. For more information please see the “Notes” section of the Statistical Summary.
The latest quarterly national statistics on benefit claimants, employment programmes, labour market decisions and vacancies produced by the Department for Work and Pensions were released on 12th May 2010 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.
These key points from the latest quarterly release are:
- There were 5.9 million working age benefit claimants at November 2009. This is an increase of 453 thousand in the year to November 2009.
- There were 426 thousand claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) at November 2009.
- There were 2.62 million ‘ESA and incapacity benefits’ claimants at November 2009.
- There were 696 thousand lone parents claiming Income Support at November 2009.
- At November 2009, there were 2.74 million claimants of Pension Credit (3.35 million including partners).
The “Notes” section of the May 2010 Statistical Summary notifies users of some changes planned for future publications. It also describes the detail of the issues, changes and revisions which form part of this Statistical Summary. In short, these are:
- Flexible New Deal (FND) sanctions are not currently included in the Sanctions Tabulation Tool.
- Information for leavers on New Deal for disabled people and New Deal for 50+ is not available. More detailed information is shown here:
- Jobcentre Plus region has been removed from the New Deal for Lone Parents Tabulation Tool this quarter due to quality issues.
- Additional tables for HB/CTB caseload include a new breakdown of recipients aged under 65 and aged 65 and over for both HB and CTB.
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The following variables have been removed from the Tabulation Tool:
- “Net Additional Pension (£ per week)”
- “Free Milk Voucher”
- “MIG/Non-MIG” indicator
- The ability to perform a benefit combination time series of working age percentage of population has been removed due to a formatting error in those tables.
More details can be found in the “Notes” section of the Summary.
To access the latest monthly release in full click here
To access the latest quarterly release click here
More information on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit caseload statistics is available here
More information on early estimate statistics is available here
Additional tables and further information on these statistics can be found here
More information on children in out-of-work benefit households statistics is available here
To access previous Statistical Summaries, click here
Coverage: Great Britain
Geographic Breakdown:
- GB in the summary, Local Authority and Parliamentary Constituency for most data via the tabulation tool, and small areas for some data.
Next Release Date for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, and early estimates for working age inactive benefit client groups: 14th July 2010
Next Release Date for benefit claimants, employment programmes and labour market decisions: 11th August 2010
Publication of DWP research report 650: The Operation of Choice in Multi Provider Employment Zones
A report is published today by the Department for Work and Pensions which provides evidence on the operation of client choice within multi provider Employment Zones.
Employment Zones were introduced as a relatively intensive and long term employment programme. In 2004, multi provider Employment Zones (EZ) was established in six EZ areas and involved up to three contractors delivering provision. Initially mandatory clients were allocated to one of the providers on a pre-arranged contractual distribution of market share. Since April 2007, the choice of provider was extended to mandatory clients claiming Jobseekers Allowance.
The key findings of the study are:
- Support for choice amongst the Employment Zone clients with 78% feeling it was positive.
- Clients accessed information from a range of sources before making a choice. However, a quarter (27%) said they did not access any information.
- Several factors influenced clients’ choice of providers: location of the provider; previous experience of a provider; recommendations from family and friends; and information and advice about the services provided.
- Choice improved clients’ attendance and increased levels of engagement. However, choice was also felt to have brought confusion for some clients.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2010/june-2010/dwp075-10-2...
585 – Disability Living Allowance claimaints: a new assessment – the characteristics and aspirations of the Incapacity Benefit claimants who receive Disability Living Allowance
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2009/july-2009/