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Welfare-to-work: Official figures show job target missed | Welfare-to-work: Official figures show job target missed |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The government's flagship welfare-to-work programme has failed to hit its main target, official figures show. | The government's flagship welfare-to-work programme has failed to hit its main target, official figures show. |
Under the scheme, firms and charities are paid to help find jobs for the long-term unemployed. | Under the scheme, firms and charities are paid to help find jobs for the long-term unemployed. |
But only 3.53% of people found a job for six months or more - missing the coalition's 5.5% target. | But only 3.53% of people found a job for six months or more - missing the coalition's 5.5% target. |
The coalition said the scheme was "improving" at getting people into work, but Labour called its effect "worse than doing nothing". | The coalition said the scheme was "improving" at getting people into work, but Labour called its effect "worse than doing nothing". |
The figures, which cover the 13 months from June 2011 to July 2012, showed that of the 878,000 people who joined the programme, only 31,000 found a job for six months or more. | The figures, which cover the 13 months from June 2011 to July 2012, showed that of the 878,000 people who joined the programme, only 31,000 found a job for six months or more. |
The Department for Work and Pensions had told providers they should get 5.5% of people on the programme into sustained employment. | The Department for Work and Pensions had told providers they should get 5.5% of people on the programme into sustained employment. |
'Ridiculous' | 'Ridiculous' |
It said more than half of the jobseekers who started on the programme in June and July 2011 had spent some time off benefits. | It said more than half of the jobseekers who started on the programme in June and July 2011 had spent some time off benefits. |
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith defended the scheme, telling the BBC: "Over 50% of those who have been sent there [on schemes] have been taken off benefits. Of the 800,000 who have gone through, over 200,000 are within work." | Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith defended the scheme, telling the BBC: "Over 50% of those who have been sent there [on schemes] have been taken off benefits. Of the 800,000 who have gone through, over 200,000 are within work." |
He added: "I think we are on track. Payment by results is about saying the taxpayers need not foot the risk." | He added: "I think we are on track. Payment by results is about saying the taxpayers need not foot the risk." |
Employment minister Mark Hoban said: "It's still early days, but already thousands of lives are being transformed." | Employment minister Mark Hoban said: "It's still early days, but already thousands of lives are being transformed." |
He added: "It's clearly ridiculous to suggest the work programme isn't helping people into work. Already nearly 10% of the first starters on the work programme have got into work and stayed there for six months. | He added: "It's clearly ridiculous to suggest the work programme isn't helping people into work. Already nearly 10% of the first starters on the work programme have got into work and stayed there for six months. |
"The figures also show that 40% of the 31,000 outcomes published today came in June and July - the last two months for which data is available - clearly showing that performance is already improving." | "The figures also show that 40% of the 31,000 outcomes published today came in June and July - the last two months for which data is available - clearly showing that performance is already improving." |
Poorly performing organisations involved in the programme have been given until April to improve their performance. They have not been revealed by the government. | Poorly performing organisations involved in the programme have been given until April to improve their performance. They have not been revealed by the government. |
The Employment Related Services Association, the trade body for the welfare-to-work industry, said 20,000 jobseekers were being helped each month. More than 200,000 had found employment since the scheme's launch, it added. | The Employment Related Services Association, the trade body for the welfare-to-work industry, said 20,000 jobseekers were being helped each month. More than 200,000 had found employment since the scheme's launch, it added. |
'Choked off' | 'Choked off' |
For Labour, shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne told BBC news the figures showed the government's approach was "worse than doing nothing". | For Labour, shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne told BBC news the figures showed the government's approach was "worse than doing nothing". |
"Over the course of this parliament the welfare bill is now going to be £20bn higher than projected. | "Over the course of this parliament the welfare bill is now going to be £20bn higher than projected. |
"That is because the chancellor has choked off the recovery and it is because the DWP has comprehensively failed to get in place a back-to-work programme that actually works," he said. | "That is because the chancellor has choked off the recovery and it is because the DWP has comprehensively failed to get in place a back-to-work programme that actually works," he said. |
Dave Prentis, general secretary of the Unison union, said: "The government's work programme is not working - it's a dismal failure. Far from being 'early days', it has been running for more than a year." | |
Under the scheme - replacing the New Deal, Employment Zones and Pathways to Work - approved providers in England, Scotland and Wales, mostly private companies, try to find work for claimants on a payment-by-results basis. | Under the scheme - replacing the New Deal, Employment Zones and Pathways to Work - approved providers in England, Scotland and Wales, mostly private companies, try to find work for claimants on a payment-by-results basis. |
Providers can earn between £3,700 and £13,700 per person helped into work, depending how hard it is to give support to an individual, with an initial payment of between £400 and £600. | Providers can earn between £3,700 and £13,700 per person helped into work, depending how hard it is to give support to an individual, with an initial payment of between £400 and £600. |
The government has said it expects the scheme to help 2.4 million people back into work over five years. | The government has said it expects the scheme to help 2.4 million people back into work over five years. |
Joining the work programme is mandatory for people aged over 25 when they have been out of work for a year and for under-25s after nine months. People in certain circumstances, like young offenders, must join after a shorter period of time. | Joining the work programme is mandatory for people aged over 25 when they have been out of work for a year and for under-25s after nine months. People in certain circumstances, like young offenders, must join after a shorter period of time. |
Those on some benefits, such as income support and employment support allowance, can join the scheme voluntarily if they meet certain criteria. | Those on some benefits, such as income support and employment support allowance, can join the scheme voluntarily if they meet certain criteria. |
Once a person has been referred to the work programme, they remain on the scheme for up to two years. | Once a person has been referred to the work programme, they remain on the scheme for up to two years. |