Synopsis: |
The Work Programme, launched in June 2011, is designed to help the long-term unemployed into work. The Department for Work and Pensions estimates the Programme will cost between GBP3 to GBP5 billion over five years and will potentially help 3.3 million people.This commentary, by the National Audit Office, for the Committee of Public Accounts, looks at the Department's statistics. The NAO raises the following key points: (i) Outcomes to 31 July 2012 were less than a third of the level expected; (ii) No providers met the minimum performance levels set in their contracts; (iii) The lower than expected outcomes were probably due to expectations being set too high and reported performance understated; (iv) The Department has warned providers that performance must improve; (v) That it is too early to conclude that the Programme will not meet its objectives. |