Inclusions' response to National Audit Office report 'Introduction of the Work Programme'

The National Audit Office report Introduction of the Work Programme finds that job entry rates for Jobseeker's Allowance payments for over-25s will be at 26% as opposed to 40% as predicted by the Department for Work and Pensions. This analysis is based upon the performance results of the Flexible New Deal and impacts of features specific to the Work Programme. 

Inclusion estimates 90,000 fewer job entries for the Work Programme over five years than predicted on the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast from Novmeber 2010. This is due to poor growth forecasts leading to higher unemployment levels so higher numbers of claimants for government back-to-work programmes.When GDP reduces by 1%, job entry rates reduce by just under 10%. This means that a reduction of 1% in GDP would lead to a drop in job entry rates for the Work Programme falling to 36%. Given estimates of GDP falling by 1.7% in a year, job entry rates will drop to 33%. This analysis us based on data published by Jobcentre Plus on job outcomes from 2006-10 and measurements of GDP.

To see Inclusion's full response visit our webpage.