Following an Inquiry into the role of Jobcentre Plus by the Work and Pensions Committee, a Report has been published today.{jcomments on}
In it, the Committee concludes that Jobcentre Plus (JCP) should continue to provide a public employment service for the unemployed.
It recommends, however, that JCP’s key performance indicators be immediately revised to ensure that JCP is incentivised to get jobseekers into work, not just to get them off benefits.
In the longer term, as Universal Credit is implemented, DWP must formulate performance measures which promote sustained job outcomes.
Commenting on the Report, Dame Anne Begg MP, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, said:
“People can leave benefit for a range of reasons, not all of them positive.
JCP’s performance is currently measured primarily by the proportion of claimants leaving benefit by specific points in their claims.
This takes no account of whether they are leaving benefit to start a job or for less positive reasons, including being sanctioned or simply transferring to another benefit.
We believe this risks JCP hitting its targets but missing the point. JCP must be very clearly incentivised to get people into work, not just off benefits.”
Further recommendations have been made regarding a separate, broader independent review of benefit conditionality and sanctions, to ensure the rules are being applied fairly and appropriately.
Read the full report here
