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Tag: Department for Work and Pensions

  • PRESS RELEASE : Employment support launched for over a million people [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Employment support launched for over a million people [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 16 November 2023.

    New Back to Work Plan to help up to 1,100,000 people with long-term health conditions, disabilities or long-term unemployment to look for and stay in work.

    • Additional support comes alongside tougher sanctions for people who don’t look for work, as part of the next generation of welfare reforms.
    • Includes exploring reforms of the fit note system, expansion of available treatment and employment support, and formal launch of the WorkWell service to help people start, stay and succeed in work.

    The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride have unveiled their Back to Work Plan – a package of employment focused support that will help people stay healthy, get off benefits and move into work – as part of the Autumn Statement.

    Building on the ambitious £7 billion employment package from Spring Budget the Chancellor is using his Autumn Statement to outline a new Back to Work Plan, which will expand the employment support and treatment available and reform the ways that people with disabilities or health conditions interact with the state.

    Getting more people into work and ensuring work pays remains a key priority for the government. It is important for growing the UK economy, managing inflation, controlling spending, and improving living standards. Getting more people into good jobs is also good for those individuals and the best route out of poverty.

    The government is boosting four key programmes – NHS Talking Therapies, Individual Placement and Support, Restart and Universal Support – to benefit up to 1.1 million people over the next five years and help those with mental or physical health conditions stay in or find work.

    The new WorkWell service as announced at Spring Budget and delivered by the Departments for Work and Pensions and Health and Social Care is also being formally launched today and will support almost 60,000 long-term sick or disabled people to start, stay and succeed in work once rolled out in approximately 15 areas across England. The prospectus that will be launched in the coming weeks will provide information for all Integrated Care Systems across England to develop their localised work and health strategy.

    Ministers are also planning to trial reforms to the fit note process to make it easier and quicker for people to get specialised work and health support, with improved triaging and signposting. Since the pandemic the number of people inactive in the UK due to long-term sickness or disability has risen by almost half a million to a record high of 2.6 million, with mental health, musculoskeletal conditions and heart disease being some of the main causes.

    Stricter benefit sanctions will also be enforced by the Department for Work and Pensions for people who are able to work but refuse to engage with their Jobcentre or take on work offered to them. Benefit claimants who continue to refuse to engage with the Jobcentre will face having their claim closed. The latest published data shows that there were 300,000 people who had been unemployed for over a year in the three months to July.

    The announcement today forms part of wider plans to grow the economy expected in the Autumn Statement on Wednesday 22 November. The Chancellor is set to reveal a raft of changes to get the UK economy growing including getting people back into work.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, said:

    We’re serious about growing our economy and that means we must address the rise in people who aren’t looking for work – especially because we know so many of them want to and with almost a million vacancies in the jobs market the opportunities are there.

    These changes mean there’s help and support for everyone – but for those who refuse it, there are consequences too. Anyone choosing to coast on the hard work of taxpayers will lose their benefits.

    Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride, said:

    We are rolling out the next generation of welfare reforms to help more people start, stay and succeed in work. We know the positive impact work can have, not just on our finances, but our health and wellbeing too.

    So we are expanding the voluntary support for people with health conditions and disabilities, including our flagship Universal Support programme.

    But our message is clear: if you are fit, if you refuse to work, if you are taking taxpayers for a ride – we will take your benefits away.

    The plans announced today set out how the government will tackle long-term unemployment by supporting Universal Credit claimants to find work while strengthening work search requirements for job seekers through all stages of their Universal Credit claim. As a result of these reforms, no claimant should reach 18 months of unemployment in receipt of their full benefits if they have not taken every reasonable step to comply with Jobcentre support.

    The plans to tackle long-term unemployment include:

    • Testing Additional Jobcentre Support in England and Scotland – testing how intensive support can help claimants into work who remain unemployed or on low earnings after 7 weeks into their Universal Credit claim.
    • Extending and expanding the Restart scheme in England and Wales for 2 years – expanding tailored, intensive support to people who have been on Universal Credit for more than 6 months rather than 9, helping them to tackle barriers to entering employment through coaching, CV and interview skills, and training. The scheme will be extended for two years until June 2026.
    • Introducing a claimant review point – Universal Credit claimants who are still unemployed after the 12-month Restart programme will take part in a claimant review point: a new process whereby a work coach will decide what further work search conditions or employment pathways would best support a claimant into work. If a claimant refuses to accept these new conditions without good reason, their Universal Credit claim will be closed.
    • Rolling out mandatory work placement trials – through the claimant review point, claimants who have not yet moved into work by the end of Restart will be required to accept a job or to undertake time-limited work experience or other intensive activity to improve their employability prospects. Failure to do so at this stage will lead to a claimant’s Universal Credit claim being closed.
    • Stricter sanctions for people who should be looking for work but aren’t – including targeting disengaged claimants by closing the claims of individuals on an open-ended sanction for over six months and solely eligible for the Universal Credit standard allowance, ending their access to additional benefits such as free prescriptions and legal aid; rooting out fraud and error using the government’s Targeted Case Review to review the Universal Credit claims of disengaged claimants on an open-ended sanction for over eight weeks, ensuring they receive the right entitlement; digital tools to track claimants’ attendance at job fairs and interviews.

    Plans set out also include expanding key health and employment programmes, to benefit over half a million people over the next five years and help those with mental health conditions stay in or find work:

    • NHS Talking Therapies – increasing the number of people benefitting from courses of mental health treatment by an additional 384,000 people over the next five years and increasing the number of sessions available. NHS Talking Therapies provides evidence based psychological therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), for treatment of mild and moderate mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders.
    • Individual Placement and Support (IPS) – aiming to help an additional 100,000 people with severe mental illness to find and keep jobs over the next five years. IPS is an employment support programme integrated in community mental health services. IPS employment specialists: work with people accessing the service to find them employment that matches their aims, interests and skills, and offer continued support once they are in post; integrate with the mental health team to support the individual with any issues that affect their work and recovery; build relationships with employers to negotiate job opportunities.
    • Universal Support in England and Wales – matching 100,000 people per year with existing vacancies and supporting them in their new role, an increase on the 50,000 people outlined at Spring Budget, also helping people with disabilities and from vulnerable groups. Participants will access up to 12 months of personalised ‘place and train’ support. The individual will be supported by a dedicated keyworker who will help the participant find and keep a job, with up to £4,000 of funding available to provide each participant with training, help to manage health conditions or help for employers to make necessary accommodations to the person’s needs.
    • WorkWell – The service announced at Spring Budget 2023 is being formally launched to Integrated Care Systems across England and will help support people at risk of falling into long-term unemployment due to sickness or disability, through integrated work and health support. Integrated Care Systems across England will be supported to develop a localised work and health strategy, and then services will be provided in approximately 15 pilot areas.

    Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Victoria Atkins, said:

    We know that tailored work and health support initiatives can help break down the kinds of barriers that can make finding and staying in a job more difficult for those with mental health conditions.

    Backing them with further investment means they’re more widely available, enables personalised help and will get thousands back to work by overcoming any issues that may be preventing them from fulfilling their career potential.

    Kate Shoesmith, Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Deputy Chief Executive, said:

    Today’s announcements will help the Restart scheme keep making a real difference to people’s work and life chances. It contributes to efforts to overcome our labour and skills shortages and to further growing our economy. Bringing public and private employment services together is vital to get people into work and not look back. Our own award-winning Restart scheme, which sees recruiters work with employability services provider Maximus, has helped place 1700 long-term unemployed people into work since 2021.

    Additional information

    Over next 5 years the following policies will have increased spaces of:

    • Talking Therapies: 384,000
    • Individual Placement and Support: 100,000
    • Universal Support: 187,500

    The extension of the Restart Scheme will also result in around 500,000 additional spaces over the two years.

    • The Back to Work Plan includes £2.5 billion of investment over the next five years – including over £300m of additional investment next year – and builds on the £7 billion package announced at this year’s Spring Budget, which included investment targeted at services for mental health, musculoskeletal conditions and cardiovascular disease.
    • The Barnett formula will apply in the normal way for the devolved administrations over the next five years.
    • Fit Note reform. The government will explore reforms of the fit note process to provide individuals whose health affects their ability to work with easy and rapid access to specialised work and health support. Rollout will begin with trailblazer trials in a small number of Integrated Care Boards, offering better triage, signposting and support to those who have received a fit note for a prolonged period of time. This will inform the launch of a consultation on reforms to improve the fit note process, better integrating it with easy and rapid work and health support. Primary care (GP surgeries) will continue to play an important role in supporting working age people where their health presents a barrier to work. But there is often pressure on the time and expertise needed to hold the work and health conversation effectively and direct people to the right support, which is why we are exploring reforms.
    • Sanctions measures. The government is announcing several measures to strengthen the current UC sanctions regime, to incentivise claimants to comply with their work search requirements and move into work.
    • Under the current Universal Credit sanctions regime, claimants subject to an open-ended sanction will have a deduction applied to their standard allowance until they re-comply with their requirements (e.g., attend a meeting with their work coach). If a claimant continues to dis-engage they will remain on the UC system and continue to be sanctioned.
    • The government is announcing two measures to address and penalise disengagement, and incentivise claimants to re-engage with Jobcentre support: closing claims of disengaged claimants after 6 months. Claims will be closed of individuals who are solely eligible for the standard allowance, meaning they are not receiving additional child, housing or disability Universal Credit payments. This means parents claiming the child element and receiving additional benefits like free school meals are not in scope of this measure and will not lose out. This is also the case for disabled claimants in receipt of the disability element of UC and receiving any additional benefits derived from their UC eligibility; investigating positive claims of disengaged claimants after 8-weeks through the existing Targeted Case Review. These claimants have a positive UC award, meaning they are in receipt of additional Universal Credit payments for childcare, housing, or disability. If a claimant is receiving an incorrect UC payment, their award will be corrected retrospectively and closed if appropriate. Suspected cases of fraud are shared with Counter Fraud teams for follow up.
    • In addition, to improve the existing sanctions process, the government is delivering a new function in the Universal Credit service that allows a work coach to track a claimant’s attendance at DWP organised job interviews or job fairs. This tool will provide work coaches with better evidence on a claimant’s work search activities and ensure that claimants who do not attend mandatory appointments without a good reason, are sanctioned.
  • PRESS RELEASE : New Government Planner to help thousands of disabled university students into work [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Government Planner to help thousands of disabled university students into work [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 15 November 2023.

    Hundreds of thousands of disabled university and higher education students are set to benefit from a new Government planner to help ease their transition into work.

    • New Adjustment Planner to be rolled out to all universities and higher education colleges across UK
    • The planner collects key information about a student’s adjustment needs which can be easily shared with prospective employers
    • Trial results show disabled students using the planner are more confident entering employment

    Hundreds of thousands of disabled university and higher education students are set to benefit from a new Government planner to help ease their transition into work.

    Following a successful pilot at several top universities, the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Adjustment Planner will be rolled out to all students in higher education in time for the next academic year.

    Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said:

    “Searching for a job post-university as a disabled student can be stressful but our new Adjustment Planner has been proven to make that process easier, helping more disabled people to start, stay and succeed in work.

    “I am delighted this is now being rolled out to higher education institutions across the UK, removing barriers to employment and helping more disabled people reach their full potential.”

    Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Robert Halfon said:

    “Ensuring that people with disabilities have access to the same opportunities to climb the ladder of opportunity is crucial if we are to build a world-class skills nation that benefits everyone.

    “As a longstanding champion of social justice, I am delighted that disabled people will now be able to access Adjustment Passports across all higher education institutions. No matter what region or sector, disabled people can feel confident and secure they will be supported both during their studies and when they enter the workplace.”

    The voluntary planner will collate the relevant needs of students which can then be simply passed on to employers – negating the need for repeated assessments and conversations for adjustments such as specific desks and chairs, assistive software or arranging travel to the workplace.

    The planner will also reduce the need for an Access to Work assessment and enable all students exiting higher education to benefit from the scheme faster. This will ensure disabled people have the equipment they need to work effectively.

    The planner also contains helpful advice on what types of funding and government support is available to help employers unlock the potential of millions of disabled people across the UK.

    Professor Deborah Johnston, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at London South Bank University (LSBU), said:

    “Making the transition from education to the workplace is never easy and for students with a disability it can be even more difficult. Conversations around disability can often be misunderstood by employers and those with a disability can felt frustrated by the system they face which can act as a barrier to employment.

    “The Adjustments Planner pilot scheme has overwhelmingly shown that disabled students feel more confident that their needs will be understood and met by their new employers with the planner in place.  The new Adjustments Planner goes a long way to improving the transition from education to the workplace and ensures those with a disability are given the correct support they need.”

    The scheme was initially piloted at the University of Wolverhampton, Manchester Metropolitan University and King’s College London. Surveys of disabled students at these sites later showed overwhelmingly positive feedback from students and staff.

    Universities Disabilities Access Ambassador, Geoff Layer, said: “I welcome this initiative as it is a key step forward in enhancing the graduate employment opportunities for disabled students.

    “The research that was undertaken by the Disabled Student Commission clearly highlighted the need for such interventions to secure greater inclusivity in the workplace.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : £2.2 billion in Cost of Living Payments paid by DWP over the last eight days [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : £2.2 billion in Cost of Living Payments paid by DWP over the last eight days [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 7 November 2023.

    99% of households already eligible for the second Cost of Living Payment have been directly paid £300 by the Government.

    • The payments are the second of up to three worth up to £900 in 2023/24 for those eligible.
    • Those remaining will continue to be automatically paid between now and 19 November by DWP.

    More than seven million households across the UK have been paid a £300 Cost of Living Payment, a £2.2 billion cash injection made by the Department for Work and Pensions in just eight days.

    This means the vast majority of already eligible households have received the support in just eight days of the rollout starting, equating to over a million payments on each day they were made.

    The payment is the second of up to three Cost of Living Payments being made this financial year, illustrating the Government’s commitment to supporting low-income families with financial pressures.  These payments will all be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.

    Global inflationary pressures have seen the Department for Work and Pensions step in to provide unprecedented cost of living support, with billions of pounds sent directly into low-income households’ accounts over a matter of days.

    This comes alongside work to deliver on the government’s five priorities, including halving inflation and growing the economy, ultimately helping put more money in people’s bank accounts.

    Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:

    Getting this vital money to over 7 million people across the UK in just eight days shows our determination to give people greater financial security as we work to halve inflation, bring costs down, and boost people’s bank balances.

    In the long term, the best way to secure financial security is through work, and thousands of Work Coaches in Jobcentres across the country are on hand to help people find a job, enhance their skills, and reap the benefits of work.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:

    Christmas can put a strain on people’s finances which is why this £300 will be a welcome boost for millions of families.

    But we must tackle the root cause of higher bills by halving inflation this year and by sticking to our plan, we’re on track to do so.

    The Cost of Living Payments, spread across 2023/24, are worth up to £900 for those on means-tested benefits. The first payment was made in April and May of this year, with the next one to come by Spring 2024.

    The Cost of Living Payments build on the significant cost of living support already provided to eligible households throughout 2022 – now worth an average of £3,300 per household over this year and last. We have also gone further by:

    • Increasing benefits in line with inflation, meaning more than 10 million working age families will see an average increase of around £600.
    • Maintaining the Triple Lock earlier this year to give around 12 million pensioners the largest ever cash increase to the State Pension.
    • Extending the Household Support Fund for another year in England to help families with essential costs with £1 billion of extra funding.
    • Increasing the National Living Wage by its largest ever cash amount for 2 million workers – worth over £1,600 to the annual earnings of a full-time worker – and committing to increase it to over £11 an hour from April 2024.
    • Cutting fuel duty by 5 pence and freezing the increase, worth £100 to the average driver this year.
    • Covering up to 85% of childcare costs for working households on Universal Credit, up from 70% under the legacy system – currently worth over £19,500-a-year for families with two or more children.

    Pensioner households will also receive £300 which will be paid as a top up to those eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment in November and December. Combined with the one-off Cost of Living Disability Payment earlier this year, some households will receive £1,350 in total.

    The small number of payments still outstanding will continue to be made between now and 19 November, and anyone eligible still waiting for a payment does not need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) before then. After this date, if someone thinks they may be missing a payment they are entitled to a form can be filled out on the gov.uk website to make a claim.

    In addition, eligible families, receiving tax credits only, will get their £300 Cost of Living Payment from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) between 10 and 19 November with the payment reference ‘HMRC COLS’.

    While payments are made automatically, people must be receiving one of the eligible qualifying benefits during the specified period to qualify. Those who wish to check their entitlement to benefits should use a benefits calculator on Gov.uk to get a better idea of what they could receive.

    Further Information

    • The three means-tested Cost of Living Payments, worth up to £900 in total, is being delivered in three slightly different amounts, each relating to a specific qualifying period before the payment is made. This allows DWP to ensure support is targeted at those who need it and are eligible; to determine if a payee received the correct payments and identify the payment value; and to reduce the risk of fraud.
    • To get the £300 payment someone must (subject to a very limited exception explained below) have been entitled to a payment of a qualifying benefit as follows:
      • For Universal Credit, payment in respect of an assessment period ending between the 18 August and 17 September 2023
      • For all other DWP means-tested benefits, payment in respect of any day 18 August and the 17 September 2023.
      • For tax credits-only customers to be eligible they must have received a payment of tax credits in respect of any day in the period 18 August 2023 and the 17 September 2023, or later be paid in respect of any day in this period.
    • Those on DWP benefits other than Universal Credit who are entitled to less than 10 pence and meet all other qualifying criteria but who do not receive a benefit payment, will still receive a Cost of Living Payment.
    • Payment windows and eligibility dates for the remaining Cost of Living Payment will be announced in due course.
    • For constituency and local authority level breakdowns on payments, please visit www.gov.uk/government/news/first-2023-24-cost-of-living-payment-dates-announced
    • The £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment will be paid to all households in receipt of Winter Fuel Payments, in the same way as 2022/23 payments were made.
    • For more information on these payments, please visit www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payments-2023-to-2024
    • For regional, constituency and local authority level breakdowns on payments, please visit www.gov.uk/government/news/first-2023-24-cost-of-living-payment-dates-announced
  • PRESS RELEASE : Government urges jobseekers to consider careers in “booming” beauty industry [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government urges jobseekers to consider careers in “booming” beauty industry [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 27 October 2023.

    This week marks British Beauty Week (26th – 30th October) which highlights Britain’s thriving and influential beauty brands.

    The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is using the celebration to call on jobseekers to consider one of the range of roles and fields the sector offers as their next career move, with over 4,000 vacancies live on the Government’s Find a Job portal. This includes beautician, merchandiser and lecturer roles, and other fulfilling positions to suit different levels of experience.

    The Prime Minister has previously praised the British industry for being the best of British business and with an annual worth £20 billion to the UK economy, the sector is an important part of the Government’s drive to grow the economy.

    Diane Whitbread, one of the DWP’s Employer Engagement Advisors, said:

    “I encourage jobseekers from all backgrounds to use British Beauty Week to consider a role in beauty as their next move. This booming sector offers a range of exciting roles and skills development along with progression opportunities and a new sense of purpose.

    “Our Jobcentre network can provide crucial advice to all jobseekers and my dedicated colleagues, including work coaches stand ready to help people begin rewarding careers within this dynamic industry.”

    Jobcentres across Great Britain are available to help claimants secure a beauty-based role and work closely with employers to fill and promote key vacancies, including Elite Hotels, who own three premium hotels in the South of England. The Government works closely with the British Beauty Council to drive excellence across the industry. Since its inception in 2018, the council has acted as the champion of the sector, providing financial support and guidance to hundreds of thousands of workers.

    Millie Kendal OBE, the British Beauty Council’s CEO added:

    “The British Beauty industry makes a bigger contribution to the UK’s GDP than the creative, arts, and entertainment sector, and the aerospace manufacturing sector, however many people are unaware of the diverse range of opportunities available in the sector.

    “In order to highlight the diverse opportunities available in the sector, the Council has launched its ‘Future Talent Programme’, which is designed to uncover unique roles in technology, fragrance, sustainability, and cosmetic science to people aged 11-18 years old. Through engaging short films, the programme is dedicated to ensuring a pipeline of unique talent to a creative, innovative, entrepreneurial sector.”

    Jobseekers can also tap into the DWP’s Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs). SWAPs provide opportunities to learn new skills and get working experience in relevant industries. Lasting up to six weeks, schemes involve pre-employment training, work experience with an employer in the industry and at the end of the programme, either a job interview or help with the application process. There are several SWAPs linked to beauty with a specific focus on job vacancies in hair, beauty and fitness.

    This summer, Jobcentre Plus ran a SWAP with leading firm L’Oréal Paris in North London for Beauty Counter Advisor which included bespoke training from a local college. All candidates were successful in securing a role with the French company.

    Additional information

    • According to the Value of Beauty report (2023), the industry supports 550,00 total jobs across media, services, STEM roles and more. 81% of those employed are women and 86% of business-owners, providing that beauty opportunities provide a strong basis for social mobility and access to under-represented portions of the population.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Seven sentenced for their involvement in alleged £770k benefit fraud [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Seven sentenced for their involvement in alleged £770k benefit fraud [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 27 October 2023.

    As part of the government’s £900 million crackdown on fraud, seven people have been sentenced for their part in a major fraud operation worth an alleged £770,000.

    • Organised crime gang alleged to have defrauded £770,000 using hijacked identities
    • Judge convicts seven people for their involvement in stealing £138,000 of this amount, with a further 14 also charged and currently going through the court process
    • Demonstrates a zero-tolerance approach to fraud, which will protect taxpayer’s money and support public services

    As part of the government’s £900 million crackdown on fraud, seven people have been sentenced for their part in a major fraud operation worth an alleged £770,000.

    An investigation by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) uncovered an organised crime gang which made thousands of false claims for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) then used stolen and hijacked genuine identities to launder money through their own personal bank accounts.

    Donna John, 39, Michelle John, 33, Kofi Ofori-Atta, 52, Maria Theaker, 56, Jamie Wilkins, 36, and Serena Farmer-White, 32, all from Cardiff, and Christopher Gougherty, 37, from Cwmbran, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court today (27 October) for their involvement in stealing £138,000 of the total amount.

    They received sentences as high as 71 weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months. Other members of the gang are still to be tried, with the alleged fraud rising to a total of £770,000.

    The DWP will now take steps to recover the money stolen, building on the Department’s new target to save at least £1.3 billion on fraud and error in 2023-24.

    Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, said:

    “We will use all the powers at our disposal to catch fraudsters and deter others from abusing the system.

    “This case should act as a warning to anyone thinking they can get away with fraud. We will track down criminals stealing from the taxpayer and we will bring them to justice.”

    DWP Minister responsible for tackling fraud, Tom Pursglove MP, said:

    “Benefit fraud is never a victimless crime. It diverts money away from those who really need it.

    “That is why we are ramping up our plans to root out fraudsters as part of a push to save £1.3bn in 2023-2024.”

    In addition to today’s court proceedings, five other fraudsters were sentenced for their roles earlier this year, while 14 others await court hearings.

    Ryan Perry, 33, Andrew Siddell, 56, Connor Mainwaring, 30, Damon Cooper, 32, and Cobbie Rickard, 28, were sentenced following court appearances earlier this year after they stole more than £50,000.

    Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Reviewing Lawyer, Hywel Rees, said:

    “This was a complex fraud case, involving several defendants spread across multiple counties in England and Wales.

    “The impact of fraud on victims can be devastating and result in significant losses to taxpayers. The CPS continues to work closely with the Department for Work and Pensions to successfully prosecute cases of fraud whenever our legal test is met.”

    The sentences come as the latest figures show a 10% drop in the rate of fraud and error over the past year, with plans to drive those numbers down further.

    In 2022, the DWP launched a robust plan to further tackle fraud and error in the benefits system. The Fighting Fraud in the Welfare System plan, backed by £900 million over three years, bolsters the counter-fraud frontline significantly with measures including the deployment of trained specialists to review millions of Universal Credit claims.

    Additional information

    • The Fighting Fraud in the Welfare System plan can be accessed on gov.uk here
    • The Proceeds of Crime Act allows courts to calculate the amount individuals have benefited from their crimes and issue a confiscation order based on the value of assets held. The value of assets recovered will then be paid as compensation to victims, which in this instance is the government.

    DWP investigators and the CPS worked in partnership to carefully review evidence and put together a robust case strategy, resulting in 16 defendants entering guilty pleas at an early stage in proceedings.

    The sentencing details were:

    • Kofi Ofori-Atta: 71 weeks’ custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, a four-month electronic curfew, 15 rehabilitation and activity requirement days and a statutory victim surcharge.
    • Christopher Gougerty: 48 weeks’ custodial sentence, suspended for 14 months, 15 rehabilitation and activity requirement days, 80 hours of unpaid work and a statutory victim surcharge.
    • Donna John: 45 weeks’ custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, 10 rehabilitation and activity requirement days and a statutory victim surcharge.
    • Maria Theaker: 45 weeks’ custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, six rehabilitation and activity requirement days and a statutory victim surcharge.
    • Jamie Wilkins: Nine months’ custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, 80 hours of unpaid work, six rehabilitation and activity requirement days and a statutory victim surcharge.
    • Serena Farmer: Nine months’ custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, 80 hours of unpaid work, eight rehabilitation and activity requirement days and a statutory victim surcharge.
    • Michelle John: 12-month community order, 12 rehabilitation and activity requirement days and a statutory victim surcharge.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Back to work boost for disability benefit claimants as ground-breaking employment scheme expanded [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Back to work boost for disability benefit claimants as ground-breaking employment scheme expanded [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 26 October 2023.

    A pilot scheme for disabled people and people with health conditions to explore barriers to work will be rolled out to 12 new areas.

    • Health and employment pilot scheme to be expanded with £1.3 million government investment
    • Thousands could be helped in pilot expansion
    • Twelve new sites across England and Wales to benefit from programme

    A pilot scheme for disabled people and people with health conditions to explore barriers to work will be rolled out to 12 new areas as part of the next generation of welfare reforms being introduced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

    The government is taking long-term decisions to reform the welfare system so it better supports disabled people and people with long-term conditions into work, growing the economy and changing lives.

    Today’s announcement marks the next step in this agenda, with thousands more out of work benefit claimants set to receive additional support to chart a path back to work with an employment and health practitioner.

    Under the new initiative, the claimants and health practitioners develop a ‘work ability plan’ over a one-hour conversation, identifying barriers to employment and actions and support to overcome them. The plan is then shared with their work coach to continue support to overcome their barriers and move them towards work.

    It means health claimants can highlight and begin to overcome any work barriers prior to undergoing a Work Capability Assessment, potentially realising a job outcome sooner.

    As committed to in the White Paper, following a successful trial in Leeds which has helped hundreds of people move towards work, Employment and Health Discussions will now be expanded to 12 additional sites across England and Wales.

    Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride MP said:

    We are pushing ahead with the next generation of welfare reforms to ensure benefit claimants get as much support as soon as possible to move towards work and the more prosperous life that brings.

    This pilot is an important part of that, helping people understand what they need to do to move towards employment through a simple and effective conversation. The findings will help us build the new disability benefits system once the Work Capability Assessment is removed later this decade.

    Minister for Disabled People Tom Pursglove MP said:

    We know that many people eager to return or start work face complicated barriers to making this a reality. Having an initial conversation with a supportive health professional can have a hugely positive influence on their confidence and help set them on the journey to sustainable employment.

    These voluntary discussions will offer new avenues to many people who are keen to enter the workplace and transform lives for the better.

    The DWP is expanding this model to a dozen new sites following the success of the Leeds pilot, which was launched in May 2022 and has seen hundreds of conversations supporting claimants towards work.

    Building on this, the expanded pilot seeks to help benefit claimants with health conditions to understand better how they could find a path towards employment. The discussions typically involve a one-hour conversation where a ‘work ability plan’ is developed between the practitioner and claimant.

    This plan involves identifying how the claimant’s health interacts with their work and how to address these barriers, including signposting to further support to help them self-manage any problems. When a personalised plan is finalised, the details are shared with a work coach who then helps move them towards long-term employment.

    Initial feedback from those involved in the Leeds pilot showed that most claimants were able to understand their own health better, which in turn allowed them to communicate this better with others, including their Work Coach and potential employers.

    Many also felt more confident about what they are able to do, and how to overcome barriers they face – making them more inclined to take further steps towards the labour market. This pilot therefore represents a first step to help claimants understand where employment support is and how to access it.

    Other help includes Universal Support, an employment programme which will ramp up to support at least 50,000 people a year from 2025 to 2026. The latest phase of this programme, backed by £53 million, began across the country in September to provide personalised support to help more people with complex barriers into work with ‘on the job’ support.

    And with one in five health and disability claimants across the country assessed as having limited capability for work-related activity wanting to work with the right support, the government is also consulting on changes to the Work Capability Assessment. These proposals reflect increased Government support and the rise of flexible and home working and better employer support for disabled people and people with health conditions.

    The proposals will help these claimants access support whilst forming a bridge to the eventual removal of the assessment, which will complete a reframing of the disability benefits system.

    The DWP will therefore use the findings from the expanded Employment and Health Discussions pilot in the longer-term to inform the structure of the wider benefits system once the Work Capability Assessment is removed, focusing on what disabled people and people with health conditions can do, rather than what they can’t.

    Additional Information

    The 12 new sites, in addition to Leeds, which have come online are: Aberdare, Bradford, Chelmsford, Doncaster, Durham, Hull, Lancaster, Newcastle, Norwich, Sunderland, Wigan and York.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Employment boost for thousands of parents on Universal Credit [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Employment boost for thousands of parents on Universal Credit [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 25 October 2023.

    Thousands of parents on Universal Credit will be supported to increase their chances of getting a job or up their work hours from today.

    • Unemployed parents to be given more support to get back into work
    • Move follows over 45 per cent increase to support with childcare costs for parents on Universal Credit, as UK Government ‘backs working families’
    • Changes brought in this year set to benefit over half a million parents of 1-to-12-year olds

    Thousands of parents on Universal Credit will be supported to increase their chances of getting a job or up their work hours from today (Wednesday 25th October).

    Parents of 3 to 12-year-olds will agree with their Work Coach to spend more time in work or applying for jobs, up to a maximum of 30 hours a week. Commitments will be tailored to parents’ personal circumstances, including the availability of childcare. Alongside local Jobcentre support, this action could include time updating CVs or developing skills through courses and workshops.

    The move comes after the UK Government boosted childcare support for low-income families, with up-front and increased costs of up to £951 a month for one child and £1,630 for two or more children – a near 50% increase on the previous Universal Credit childcare offer.

    Eligible parents who increase their working hours are now also receiving up to 85% of their upfront childcare costs back before their next month’s bills are due, helping them cover costs one month in advance going forward. Prior to these changes many low-income families struggled with upfront childcare bills, making it harder for them to move into work.

    Over half a million parents are set to benefit from these improved work chances, building on changes announced in July for parents with young children to meet their Work Coach more often.

    Work is the best way to move out of poverty. According to the latest figures, working age adults living in workless households are over seven times more likely to be in absolute poverty after housing costs than working age adults in households where all adults work.

    Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP said:

    “We are pulling down barriers that stop parents working and fulfilling their potential, because we know full time work not only benefits mum and dad but the whole family too.

    “These changes will support thousands on their back to work journey. We’re backing working families, and as they step up for their careers, we are taking action to halve inflation, grow the economy and make everyone’s money go further.”

    One person to already benefit from changes to conditionality is Kacee from Gateshead. Kacee who is 19 is a single parent of a one-year-old son who has already started to meet more frequently with her Work Coach. Since August, she has tapped into the more generous childcare costs through Universal Credit and is now working as a retail assistant part-time.

    Households are at least £6,000 a year better off in full-time work than out of work on benefits, according to data covering the impact of moving onto Universal Credit and since 2010, there are almost 700,000 fewer children growing up in workless households, transforming their life chances.

    Almost half (49%) of non-working mothers also say if they could arrange good quality childcare they would prefer to be employed, according to a Department for Education childcare and early years survey.

    Those impacted will see updates to their expected Work-Related Activity which includes searching and applying for jobs, updating CVs, and developing transferable skills through workshops. All activity is designed to prepare parents to increase their likelihood of getting a job or increasing their hours.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Families in need encouraged to check for local cost-of-living support as 26 million awards already made [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Families in need encouraged to check for local cost-of-living support as 26 million awards already made [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 16 October 2023.

    Vulnerable households have received more than 26 million awards from the DWP’s Household Support Fund since its launch in October 2021, according to new figures.

    • Almost £800 million paid to households with children to support with cost of living
    • Comes as Department for Work and Pensions launches Household Support Fund Awareness Week
    • People in need encouraged to speak to their local council as this year’s £842 million fund continues to be used to deliver local support

    Vulnerable households have received more than 26 million awards from the DWP’s Household Support Fund since its launch in October 2021, according to new figures.

    The Government has invested over £2 billion into the fund over the last two years, with almost £800 million already paid to households with children to ease the cost of living between October 2021 and March 2023.

    The money is available for councils in England to help those most in need by drawing from local knowledge and making direct contact with people in the community. Support is available to help with covering the costs of essentials like groceries, toiletries, warm clothes, and energy bills.

    The figures come as DWP launches its Household Support Fund Awareness Week, to recognise the efforts of councils who distribute the Fund while encouraging vulnerable people across England to contact their councils to find out what support is available in their area.

    More than three million households from today will also get told they qualify for the Warm Home Discount. The automatic one-off £150 payment will help eligible, low-income customers in England, Scotland and Wales pay their energy bills over the winter.

    Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, said:

    “The best way we can protect family finances is by driving down inflation, but as it reduces, we recognise that cost of living pressures remain for some of the most vulnerable households.

    “Our record £842 million cash injection to the Household Support Fund in England this year means that people most in need will be able to get extra support locally to cover the essentials.

    “And alongside this unprecedented cost of living support, we’re taking the long-term decisions to reform the welfare system to help thousands more people benefit from the income boost provided by employment.”

    Councils are using their allocation in many innovative ways to support local people. In Buckinghamshire, a warm box scheme will ensure people can stay warm in the colder weather, in Kent essential white goods and furniture is financed for those who can’t afford it, and in Devon, the District Council Hardship Fund is providing targeted support for the most in need.

    This support comes on top of wider government support to help families with costs – including up to £900 in direct Cost of Living payments for those on means-tested benefits, £300 for pensioners and an extra £150 available for disabled people. Average energy prices have also fallen again this month – down by 55% since their peak.

    Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, Mims Davies MP, said:

    “Thanks to this Government’s massive extension to the Household Support Fund for every community throughout England, plus money for devolved Governments, we have seen some wonderfully innovative and locally focused uses of the additional money by local councils to ensure support is delivered to those families and those needing extra help in tough times.

    “In my own area, West Sussex, over £9 million is helping locally to finance door-to-door food box deliveries and supermarket vouchers to the most vulnerable. Vital support will also be available to help with the cost of vehicle repairs, white goods and public transport fares to ensure people stay connected, and this is on top of previous allocations.

    “This Household Support Fund Awareness Week, I do encourage anyone in the country who is struggling to cover costs to speak to their local council about what extra support is available in their area. I know local MPs will be keen to do the same, so their constituents know the additional help available on their doorstep.”

    Today, the Government is also teaming up with Amazon Alexa to relaunch a public information campaign that helped British households save an estimated £120 million last winter.

    Through a free partnership between the Government and Amazon, anyone asking Alexa – including the free mobile phone app – how to save money on their energy bill will receive advice on preparing their home for winter and use less energy in the long-term, which could save at least £100 a year.

    The partnership is part of today’s relaunch of the Government’s It All Adds Up campaign, which last year saw 80% of people in the UK saying they had taken at least one of the money-saving actions. Alongside Alexa, advice is available online via the Help for Households website and through a public information campaign including partnerships, billboards and radio adverts later in the autumn.

    People in England can find out how much their council was allocated on GOV.UK.

    Further information

    • Between October 2021 and March 2022, £421 million was injected into the fund, followed by two further investments of £421 million between April and September 2022 and October 2022 to March 2023. The current record investment of £842 million – bringing the total lifetime value of the fund to over £2 billion – is being used by councils to support the most vulnerable up until March 2024
    • Over 26 million awards is calculated by aggregating the number of awards in the first, second and third iterations of the Household Support Fund between October 2021 and March 2023
    • The Household Support Fund comes on top of extensive support for those in need with many receiving direct payments in 2023/24.
      • Millions of UK households are set to receive the second Cost of Living Payment of £300 from 31 October.
      • Over eight million pensioner households will also receive a further £300 payment later this year in addition to the Winter Fuel Payment.
    • The Household Support Fund was first launched on 6 October 2021, and has been extended several times. This latest extension lasts until 31 March 2024, representing the fourth edition of the fund.
    • Local Authorities have discretion on how they design and deliver their scheme depending on local need, within the parameters of the guidance set out by the Department for Work and Pensions.
    • Funding distribution is targeted at the areas with the most vulnerable households.
    • Devolved administrations have also been allocated funding in parallel as a result of the Barnett Formula to spend at their discretion, bringing the total amount of new funding for 2023/24 to almost £1 billion.
    • To qualify for the Warm Home Discount, customers must have an account with one of 17 participating electricity suppliers and claim either (a) the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit or, if they have high energy costs, (b) a different ‘qualifying benefit’ such as the Savings Credit portion of Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.
    • Customers can check if they qualify by searching for the ‘Warm Home Discount’ on GOV.UK and using our eligibility tracker.
    • Those who qualify for the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales will receive a letter from October onward explaining the discount and instructions on what they need to do next, while customers in Scotland will need to apply directly with their energy supplier as soon as possible.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Government launches new crackdown on parents who refuse to pay child maintenance [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government launches new crackdown on parents who refuse to pay child maintenance [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 2 October 2023.

    Parents who refuse to pay child maintenance will face accelerated sanctions as Ministers announce the introduction of new powers to speed up strong enforcement action and other reforms to make the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) fairer.

    • Government introducing long-term changes to make the system fairer for children and parents
    • Enforcement process to be made almost four times faster and non-compliance will be detected and dealt with more quickly
    • Application fee will be removed to ensure the service is accessible to all

    Today (02/10/2023) the Government is announcing a Liability Orders consultation to speed up enforcement action, the removal of the application fee to the CMS and longer-term changes.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said:

    Parents need to take financial responsibility for their children. It’s completely unfair that it can take so long to get children support they are due. I am determined to go after those parents who are refusing to pay up when we know they can.

    Child maintenance makes a real difference to the life chances of many thousands of children. The CMS can and does enforce compliance, but we want to enable it to act much faster.

    DWP Minister Viscount Younger of Leckie said:

    We always act fairly and carefully to protect children in separated families so they are supported by both their parents to have a good start in life.

    These new powers will improve how the Child Maintenance Service supports children of separated parents, helping families receive child maintenance faster and preventing further arrears.

    Liability Orders consultation

    A consultation published today lays the groundwork for new regulations that will accelerate tough sanctions on non-paying parents – such as forcing the sale of property – by modernising the enforcement process.

    Families will be paid faster as the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) will be able to use an administrative liability order to recover unpaid child maintenance instead of applying to the courts and waiting up to 22 weeks. It’s anticipated this change could reduce the wait for further action to around six to eight weeks.

    Around 10,000 parents a year who wilfully refuse to pay maintenance are estimated to be affected by the new liability order regulations, to the benefit of thousands of children and parents for whom child maintenance is a key source of financial security.

    Removal of the £20 application fee

    There is currently a £20 application fee to apply to the CMS for assistance securing the financial support a parent is owed, although victims of domestic abuse and applicants aged under 19 are exempt.

    The Government will remove this application fee for all parents so that children in the poorest families are not unfairly disadvantaged if their parent cannot afford the £20.

    Changes to maintenance calculations

    The Government will legislate to ensure unearned income, such as savings, investment, dividend and property income, is taken into account automatically when the maintenance calculation is made. This will make it more difficult for the small number of parents who avoid paying the correct amount.

    Improvements to collection of payments

    The Government has also committed to consulting on the way the CMS collects and makes payments so it can act on non-compliance more quickly.  Changes will mean the CMS can use its strong enforcement powers more quickly to go after those who wilfully avoid their financial obligations to their children.

    This follows the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 and The Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Act 2023 receiving royal assent in the summer. These Acts provide the basis for the CMS to act swiftly, progressing enforcement action faster with the aim of getting money to children more quickly, establishing compliance, preventing further arrears and bolstering domestic abuse protections for parents.

    The CMS helps around 930,000 children get the financial support they are entitled to and between June 2022-2023 arranged a record £1.2 billion on their behalf. Overall, child maintenance payments help to keep 160,000 children out of poverty each year.

    The liability order consultation is published here www.gov.uk/government/consultations/child-maintenance-accelerating-enforcement and closes on 24 November.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government announces employment support boost for over 30,000 economically inactive young people [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government announces employment support boost for over 30,000 economically inactive young people [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 25 September 2023.

    The expansion of the Youth Offer to inactive claimants, for the first time, will begin immediately to help young people into work and improve wellbeing.

    • Department for Work and Pensions’ Youth Offer to expand, providing tens of thousands more young people support to find work.
    • More young people claiming Universal Credit will have access to jobs support – including Work Coaches and interview preparation assistance.

    Tens of thousands of 16-24-year-olds will be given access to additional support in finding and securing work following the expansion of the Department for Work and Pensions’ Youth Offer, it has been announced today [Monday 25 September].

    Despite youth unemployment being down by over 43% since 2010, young people are more likely to be economically inactive than the rest of the population. Today’s announcement expands the DWP’s Youth Offer to economically inactive claimants, who were previously ineligible, as part of welfare reforms the Government is introducing to reduce economic inactivity and help more people back into work.

    The Youth Offer is an integral part of support offered to young Universal Credit claimants which until today was only available to young people deemed closest to work. The expansion will see this support offered to thousands of economically inactive claimants – those who are seen as further away from and who face more challenges finding long term work.

    This will give over 30,000 of 16-24-year-olds the option to access three types of support through the Youth Offer: additional time with a Work Coach early in their claim; access to Youth Hubs; and Youth Employability Coaches.

    Evidence shows that work is an effective way to improve wellbeing. This ranges from reducing the risk of depression to improving physical health, as well as helping to build self-confidence and providing a place where people can socialise and form friendships.

    Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP said:

    My department is introducing the next generation of welfare reforms to reduce economic inactivity and help thousands more people into work.

    Expanding the Youth Offer will not only help to grow the economy, it will change lives – providing more young people with the pay, purpose and mental health advantages that we know work brings.

    The Youth Offer consists of three key elements, the cornerstone of which is offering claimants additional Work Coach time early in their claim and help in referring young people to the appropriate support.

    Work coaches give claimants support, guidance, and advice to get into work. This could range from identifying transferable skills which fit the local job market, updating CVs and interview coaching.

    Alongside this, Youth Hubs across Great Britain give advice and guidance to young people seeking work, and some offer this help on a drop-in basis. They are located within other organisations to provide access to more services in one location.

    Young claimants with more serious and complex barriers to work, such as problems with addiction or finding somewhere permanent to live also have access to Youth Employability Coaches. These coaches can provide tailored and intensive support to young claimants before, during and after they have entered work, which alongside the other aspects of the Youth Offer, help to ensure that everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of good employment, regardless of their situation.

    Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, Mims Davies MP said:

    The best way to get on in life, improve wellbeing and make friends is through work, and the expanded DWP Youth Offer gives our young people the key tools and support they need to find fulfilling and meaningful work.

    We are delivering for young people across the country, and I’m delighted that tens of thousands of them will be able to access life-changing support to progress in employment through the expanded DWP Youth Offer.

    Barry Fletcher, CEO of Youth Futures Foundation said:

    We welcome the extension of the Youth Offer, which will provide support to more young people in their search for a job.

    Evidence shows that some groups of young people, including young parents and carers, face additional challenges in their search for work and we are pleased to see the start of the expansion today, enabling more young people to benefit from the accessibility of Youth Hubs and the guidance specialist coaches can provide.

    Today’s expansion is part of the £3.5 billion package of measures announced in the 2023 Spring Statement from the Chancellor to get more people into work. This includes £485 million of investment in support for unemployed people who are on Universal Credit, as well as people working less than full time hours.

    For more information about how you can apply for Universal Credit and access the Youth Offer see here.