Transcript Default slide show

A new deal for welfare:
Empowering people to work
Greg Chammings
Welfare Reform Project
Management Office
building on success
• third stage of welfare reform
• builds upon success of the New Deals and the creation of
Jobcentre Plus
• already delivered a 75% employment rate meaning 2.3 million
more people in work than in 1997
• aspiration of 80%
80% employment rate
• delivering opportunity to all, and rising to the
ageing challenge
• a million fewer people on incapacity benefits
• over 300,000 lone parents into work
• a million more older workers in employment
health, work and well-being
• a new national director for health and work
• developing a range of initiatives in partnership
with employers, employees and health
professionals to improve workplace health
• simplification of Statutory Sick Pay
reforming incapacity benefits
•
a new Employment and Support Allowance
•
comprised of a basic entitlement paid at Jobseeker’s Allowance rates with two
additional tiers
•
either a work related activity component which can be sanctioned if the claimant does
not engage in return to work activities
•
or a support component paid to those deemed incapable of engaging in any activity
•
with a new twelve week assessment gateway with adviser intervention from week
eight
•
and a revised medical assessment delivered within the twelve week gateway and
incorporating a capability assessment
•
all supported by the national roll-out of Pathways to Work through the private and
voluntary sectors
extending support to lone parents
• work focused interviews every six months from 2007 where
claim for a year and youngest child below 14
• work focused interviews every three months where
youngest child is at least 11, initially in Work Related
Activity Premium pilot areas
• pilot more intensive support during first year of claim
• pilot a new Work Related Activity Premium for those with a
youngest child aged at least 11 who are taking active steps
to prepare for work
extending support to fifty plus
• New Deal 25 plus extended to those aged 50-59
• face to face sessions for those approaching 50
• working with employers to encourage wider use
of flexible working patterns
• greater support to jobseekers over 50 and their
partners
reforming housing benefit
• applying learning from the Local Housing
Allowance pilots
• which in the private sector tested using a
simplified formula to calculate benefit rates based
on family size and paid benefit direct to the
claimant
• need to consider an upper limit of payment (a cap
of £15) and moving from an average to a median
rent calculation
• and explore options for reform of the social
rented sector
city strategy and long-term benefits
reform
• building strong partnerships in our cities
• reducing complexity and delivering incentives
• a single benefit for people of working age
A new deal for welfare:
Empowering people to work
Greg Chammings
Welfare Reform Project
Management Office