WIREDGOV

The CBI responded to a report by the National Audit Office on the performance of the Work Programme.

Jim Bligh, CBI head of public services, said:

"It’s positive that the Work Programme has now helped nearly 300,000 long-term unemployed people into sustained employment. But it’s clear that people who are the hardest to help - those on Employment Support Allowance – have not benefitted as much.

"The next phase must offer providers realistic incentives to ensure that the hardest to help are supported back into work.

"The Work Programme has also suffered from poor data, which is especially damaging when a new service needs this insight to learn and improve.

"Overhauling the Government's use of data and evaluation will provide a more in-depth understanding of those most in need of support, which will help foster better collaboration between the NHS, local councils, and Work Programme providers."