A4e responds to correct inaccurate comments made by MPs

The Public Accounts Committee hearing on Work Programme on 8 February included a number of factual inaccuracies A4e wishes to clarify.

A4e performance as a welfare to work contractor

Some committee members referred to A4e's early performance figures in the previous Pathways to Work contract without looking at performance during the life of the contract. They also confused A4e performance with another contractor, whose performance level was significantly lower at that early stage.

A4e argues that across the industry providers underperformed against the challenging target set for getting those on this programme into work. A4e secured jobs for 24.2% of those on the programme over its lifetime; exceeding the industry average of 23%.

A4e working with their charity partner Lifeline

Lifeline is a partner to A4e on the Work Programme in East London and are charged a 12.5% management fee per person referred to them by A4e (Lifeline receive £350 of £400 attachment fee per individual).

The claim made by Margaret Hodge MP during the Public Accounts Committee hearing on 8th February that A4e passed on only £300 of the £400 attachment fee to Lifeline is therefore incorrect.