DWP

DWP has announced the framework agreement for the provision of employment related support services, helping people to find employment.

According to the statement, the framework competition will identify organisations (including consortia) that have the capacity and expertise to deliver not only the Work Programme but also other potential employment related support services contracts. This may also include contracts that may attract European Social Fund (“ESF”) support.

The DWP has announced it will not take forward previously proposed Welfare Reform Drug Recovery pilots, but instead look at other ways in which Government departments can work together to provide the help and support people need to overcome drug and alcohol dependency and get back to work.

These announcements follow yesterday’s report by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) which found the pilots unlikely to be effective, contain a number of significant flaws and won’t produce robust results, according to DWP.

The Guardian has released a breakdown of the welfare budget, detailing how much is spent on each benefit.

Referencing the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the article also goes on to discuss on how the welfare bill could be reduced, including means testing child benefit and the child tax credit.

To view the table please visit the Guardian.

Source: The Guardian

The Government’s plan to reduce public spending will require DWP to fundamentally reduce spending by 2012/13 and make by over £550 million of savings – as part of £11bn savings across government.

The effectiveness of DWP’s contracted provision is sharply criticised by a House of Commons select committee in a report published this morning.

Yesterday I met with Jim Knight MP in Parliament to talk about a number of topics surrounding the welfare to work industry. A very pleasant, well-informed and open interviewee, the Employment Minister found time to answer a number of questions put to him by readers of Indus Delta. The following is not in direct quote form, but a summary of what the Minister had to say on each topic.

Before Christmas I went to visit Remploy's Waterloo branch, where they deliver WORKSTEP. The organisation has changed and branched out a lot in the last few years, and it was interesting to see their welfare to work side in action first hand

Further to the recent article about the launch of ERSA's customer charter, I've taken some time to look at three key charters that have come into force in recent weeks. These are ERSA's, the DWP's, and Edinburgh’s Joined Up For Jobs Partnership (JUFJ).

Updated 17/12 - DWP published their White Paper on Tuesday, aimed at 'Building Britain's Recovery: Achieving Full Employment'. I've had a good read through, and would defnitely recommend reading the summary which is here, as it really is full of content. The summary below is made up of useful excerpts I've picked out from the White Paper, including a bit of background to set out what the Bill is being based on.

Overall, there are a lot of reforms set out here, including more information on skills accounts, 'better off in work' credit, and additional plans to tackle youth unemployment. There is also a lot in there for working families, lone parents, carers, and people with disabilities. This White Paper is by no means a short-term plan to fend off the recession, but outlines reform in all key areas - more powers to Jobcentre Plus staff, Housing Benefit reform, a review of Pathways to Work, and an aim to work back up towards full employment.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer just announced the Pre-Budget Report, and I've be updating this story with news and analysis as it comes in - feel free to add your own comments if you have any thoughts on what's going on.

You can watch the PBR live on No. 10's website here

The CTF phase 1 bidding results were posted on DWP's website this morning, and I've just posted them in a list below for ease -