Welfare Reform on the Web (November 2008): Social security - UK - New Deal

Devolving power to harness innovation

J. Purnell

Working Brief, issue 196, 2008, p. 6-7

Extracts from a speech by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in which he reveals his plans for a three-tiered devolution of power in welfare to work. He aims to:

• Give individual claimants choice over which employment services they access and which providers they use
• Empower employment service providers, including Jobcentre Plus, and give them more freedom to innovate through a system of payment by results
• Empower cities and sub-regions to pool budgets to develop bespoke solutions to local problems of worklessness.

Flexible New Deal: bidding troubles

Anon

Working Brief, issue 196, 2008, p. 8

The release of the Flexible New Deal Invitation to Tender on August 1st 2008 brought stunning news to many potential bidders. The Department for Work and Pensions has set national performance expectations for FND at what many believe is an unrealistic level.