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MPs given first evidence on work programme

MPs have heard from academics and expert witnesses on how they think the Government’s Work Programme has worked.

Dave Simmons, director of the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion; Ian Mulheirn, director of Social Market Foundation; and Professor Roy Sainsbury, research director and Professor of Social Policy at the University of York were quizzed by the Work and Pensions Committee.

All agreed with the sentiment of the Department for Work and Pensions, that it is too early to judge the success of the scheme.

Professor Sainsbury said as with the implementation of any new programme, teething problems were to be expected, and Tony Wilson suggested the format had been rolled out too hastily, with some providers.

Ian Mulheirn said there was a “dose of wishful thinking” around the programme that it would solve unemployment problems.

He said to ensure efficiency in the programme, the best performing providers should be rewarded proportionally, and funding should not be cut.

Graham Evans MP asked how work programme candidates might be fed into manufacturing and engineering firms where the workforce is aging, but interviewees suggested this was more of a broader question about skills in the workforce.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .