Read It And Weep 11

*****RIAW 10, here: RIAW 9, here: RIAW 8, here: RIAW 7, here: RIAW 6, here: 
RIAW 5, here:  RIAW 4, here: RIAW 3, here: RIAW 2, here: RIAW 1, here.*****

*****

Forced Labour (WP/WF/WCA), Welfare, Entitlements and General

*****

AT LEAST 100k a year hit by highest-level benefit sanctions
 
Draft Deregulation Bill: Government moves to shut down judicial supervision and criticism of DWP-Atos decision making

Work Test Whistleblower: Are Atos About To Drop The WCA Contract?

Workfare is already here. Nobody told the Taxpayers’ Alliance

Force claimants to work for benefits, government urged

‘Work for the Dole’

‘Work for the dole’ is a poor show

New attempt to demean benefit claimants launched by right-wing loonies

Working and workless households 2013 statistics – with Inclusion’s focus on lone parent employment rates

Result of WCA consultations

Food Banks Grow and Grow

DWP has stopped refering desperate people to food banks, claims charity | Political Scrapbook

Attitudes of different generations to the welfare system

‘Poverty porn’? Who benefits from documentaries on Recession Britain?

London Homelessness Soars In First Three Months of Benefit Cap

Why is the Labour Party in bed with a RIGHT-wing thinktank?

Government admits ‘hiding’ benefit cap stats

Why Iain Duncan Smith is no longer a quiet man but a dangerous one | Marina Hyde

Referred to a psychologist - for wanting to record Jobcentre interviews

Growth is an illusion. What we’ve got is a more widely spread falling national average income

What were Iain Duncan Smith’s ‘welfare reforms’ really about? | Sue Marsh

*****

Universal Credit

*****

NAO report on Universal Credit

Will Universal Credit ever work? – NAO report

CPAG statement on NAO report on Universal Credit

Universal Credit, “Slight Delay” as Report Dams “Weak Management, Ineffective Control and Poor Governance.”

Making Universal Credit work, and making work pay

Billions To Be Spent On Bullshit - The Sorry Tale Of Universal Credit

Numbers in a twist, Mr Duncan Smith? – Comment – Voices – The Independent

Alistair Darling: I was warned that Universal Credit would be unworkable

The verdict: Universal Credit is a Governmental Disgrace

Duncan Smith can’t avoid the blame for the Universal Credit disaster

Why does truth on Universal Credit emerge only now?

Universal Credit And Zero Hours Contracts - A Car Crash Waiting To Happen

Universal Credit shambles uncovered in new report

*****

Universal Jobmatch

*****

Hoban gets his own law WRONG on jobseeker search proof

Hoban gets his own law WRONG on jobseeker search proof 

Nigel

Read It And Weep 10

*****RIAW 9, here: RIAW 8, here: RIAW 7, here: RIAW 6, here: RIAW 5, here:
RIAW 4, here: RIAW 3, here: RIAW 2, here: RIAW 1, here.*****

*****

Forced Labour (WP/WF/WCA), Welfare, Entitlements and General

*****

Timetable of Forthcoming Welfare Benefit Changes

Four stages of deceit
 
Stop Helping Me, Iain

Unemployment and the Work Ethic
 
In All Fairness...

I'm proud of our welfare reforms (Guardian)

Iain Duncan Smith - true to form

Supporting vulnerable people back into society requires time, patience and commitment, not punitive measures

Sanctions: hitting the most vulnerable

Government MUST Tell Public The Truth About Benefits Fraud

Only one problem with the government’s list of top ten benefits fraudsters – it doesn’t exist

Every local council got every bedroom tax decision legally and badly wrong

Most families hit by benefits cap 'have no job or housing options'

Benefit Cap Based On Bare-Faced Lie

Labour to substantially cut benefits bill if it wins power in 2015 (Guardian)

Ed Miliband: We WILL Scrap Hated Bedroom Tax

Three More Remploy Factories To Close

Report Calls For Expansion Of Residential Workfare For Unemployed and Disabled People

Outsourcing Jobcentre Plus - the first steps?

They've got away with it

Work Programme figures - fail!

Work Programme official statistics (GOV.UK)

Desperately spinning
 
STOP PRESS - contradictory figures
 
Number Of Young Jobless Higher Than When Coalition Came To Power

Why Osborne must publish the names of every benefits claimant - and how much we pay them: An incendiary idea to save on our £500m A DAY welfare bill (Daily Mail)

DWP minister Hoban gets JSA amount WRONG - and jobseeking unaffordable

*****

Universal Credit

*****

Universal Credit: Roll out from October 2013 (GOV.UK)
 
'Claimant Commitment' sanction threat falls on jobseekers; blundering DWP staff get away with murder

Universal Credit ‘claimant commitment’: no choice, no law, no money – no appeal
 
Universal Credit IT working well claims DWP

Digital By Default Abandoned In Universal Credit Pathfinder Fiasco

Universal Credit … The Farce Continues

Universal Credit Too Risky, Admits Tory Minister 

*****

Universal Jobmatch

*****

No Match, Universally

Social Security

Yet More Government Enforced Sex Work On Mandatory Job Seeking Website

Universal Jobmatch Shows This Government’s True Attitude To Online Safety

 
Nigel

IAD, No Idea

Update: (28 Aug 2013)

Universal Jobmatch: Your rights

“JSA Work Programme (WP) participants

90. You must not mandate JSA WP participants to create a profile and public CV in Universal Jobmatch.”https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/174251/response/424013/attach/html/3/WDTK%204024.pdf.html

Update: (22 Aug 2013) The DWP suggested the only mandatory place a Universal Jobmatch account could be created then used was on a Jobcentre Internet Access Device (IAD/Computer). However the quote below contradicts this outright:

“A3. Claimants will not be mandated to use IADs available in Jobcentre Plus offices and will, therefore, not be sanctioned if they refuse to use them. Use of IADs by claimants is voluntary.” https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/173127/response/422728/attach/html/3/FOI3884%20Gazz%20WDTK%20Reply.pdf.html

Note: Clarification is being sort on above, here and here.

Do not tick the boxes below, when you create a Universal Jobmatch account. Use can be made mandatory via a Jobseeker’s Direction ..."

http://consentarchive.wordpress.com/universaljobmatch

Nigel

Alrighty DWP, Set Me Free (Part 1)

Last week, I signed on, in the new 'end of the room' room, well-away from the vanilla signers. Briefly, for now, I will just say, that I have 'recently' (July, as I recall) come to the fruitless end, of my two years with A4e (more to follow, on that, later). I had told JCP, at the last few signings, that it had terminated and, in fact, that I had been parked, for some time, but nothing was done, until last Friday.

I told them, on that day, once again, and the 'adviser' jumped up to see his manager and returned, reminding me, of my Post-Work Programme Interview (PWPI?), dated, today. Of course, I had not been informed, before, or in writing (still have not been), so I nodded, kindly, and arrived today, for the new era.

For reasons which may be described, later, I have been out-of-the-loop, on employment niceties, recently, so, for now, I just wanted to recreate this piece, in its entirety (I hope the author does not mind; I will inform Andrew), so that the full background, to this series, here, is clear.

Here goes nothing (I predict)
____________________________________________________________________


The Unemployed and the 35 Hours a Week Job Search  

August 24, 2013 Andrew Coates

"Boycott Workfare said in July,

"The government appears to have abandoned their previous plans for compulsory 6 month workfare placements for everyone finishing the 2 years on the Work Programme. There was no mention of it when they announced their post-Work Programme plans yesterday, which is a victory for all anti-workfare campaigns. By us all putting pressure on workfare providers there are no longer enough companies and charities who are willing to be involved to make such a huge scheme possible."

This was the government’s plan.

Work Programme leavers targeted by specialist advisers as part of a tough approach to get them into a job.

Gov UK Press Release. 3rd June.

Work Programme leavers will be targeted by a hit squad of specialist advisers as part of a tough approach to get them into a job.

Up to 5 specialist advisers will be based in individual Jobcentres dedicated to working with people not in sustained work after 2 years on the Work Programme.

Claimants will be given an end-of-term report from their Work Programme provider assessing what progress they have made and their ongoing needs, to inform their new adviser before facing the toughest Jobcentre regime to help them find work. At their first appointment they will have to agree a binding back-to-work plan laying out what they are required to do.

Minister for Employment Mark Hoban said:

"The Work Programme is getting some of the hardest to help claimants into work despite a tough economic climate.

We always knew that there would be some who would require further support after the Work Programme, which is why we’re introducing this intensive and uncompromising regime.

We’ll be stepping up the pressure on claimants, who will be expected to attend the Jobcentre more frequently, with rigorous monitoring to ensure they are doing everything they can to find work."

Claimants will be expected to be on a training scheme, Mandatory Work Activity placement or intensive work preparation within days of finishing on the Work Programme – losing their benefit if they fail to comply. An extra £30m will be available to pay for extra training and specialist help to prepare them for work, for instance counselling for people dependent on drug and alcohol.

Claimants will also have to attend the Jobcentre far more frequently than other jobseekers, with weekly signing on being routine and some people being required to meet their adviser every day.

Every Work Programme returner will also be required to register with Universal Jobmatch to aid work search and job matching. This will allow their adviser to check their work search activity online should the claimant give permission.

The tough sanctions regime will see anyone failing to comply with mandatory activity lose benefit for 4 weeks for a first failure, with penalties of up to 3 years for serial offenders.

The intensive support will last for 6 months, and will be used for all Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants returning from the Work Programme who need more intensive support.

What We are Concerned about

Universal Credit will be based on four ‘work-related’ criteria for unemployed claimants.

What are the work-related requirements?

There are four work-related requirements (From Citizen’s Advice):

>the work-focused interview requirement
>the work preparation requirement
>the work search requirement
>the work availability requirement.

Your claimant commitment may include one or more of these requirements, depending on your circumstances. You will be told at your interview which requirements you’ll be expected to meet.

If you have to meet the work search requirement, it means you have to take all reasonable steps to find paid work.

If you’re already working, it means you have to take all reasonable steps to find better paid work or work more hours.

You may have to do any of these things as part of your work search requirement:

>spend a certain amount of time looking for work
>apply for jobs
>create and maintain an online profile. For example, you may have to put details of your skills, qualifications and experience on a website such as Universal Jobmatch
>register with an employment agency
>get references.

Jobcentre Plus can also tell you to take specific steps to help you find work or to help you find more or better paid work, such as applying for a specific job. They can decide how long you must spend taking these steps.

If you’re required to apply for a specific job, you get an interview but you fail to take part in it, you won’t meet your work search requirement.

How much time do you have to spend looking for work?

You normally have to spend 35 hours a week doing the things in your work search requirement. Some people with caring responsibilities or who have a physical or mental disability don’t have to spend as long as this.

You must usually spend 35 hours a week looking for work. This time is known as your expected number of hours. The time you spend only counts if it gives you the best chances of getting work. If you use it in a way that doesn’t give you the best chances of getting work, it won’t count towards your expected number of hours.

Your expected number of hours may be less than 35 hours a week if you’ve got caring responsibilities or a physical or mental disability.

In some circumstances, you may not have to spend as long as your expected number of hours a week looking for work. This may apply to you if:

>you’ve got a physical or mental disability
>you’ve spent time doing paid work as well as looking for work
>you’ve spent time doing voluntary work as well as looking for work
>you’ve spent time meeting the work preparation requirement or doing voluntary work preparation
>a temporary change in your situation affects the time you can spend looking for work
>Jobcentre Plus is satisfied you’ve taken all reasonable action to get work, even though you’ve spent less than your expected number of hours doing this.

35 Hours a week doing what exactly?

What kind of sick joke is that?"

http://intensiveactivity.wordpress.com/2013/08/24/the-unemployed-and-the-35-hours-a-week-job-search
____________________________________________________________________

Now, although I had expected change, today, there was obviously much jiggery-pokery going on, as we 'agreed' my fresh JSAg - being 'assisted', by one of the Hit Squad and her manager, I presume?

I will describe how it went, next installment. By then, I will have seen, what special provisions (if any) they will be making, for one of their 'Locally Sensitive'.

Next signing 6/8/13.

Nigel 

*****

Government announces details of post Work Programme support (GOV.uk)

New Regime

DWP minister Hoban gets JSA amount WRONG – and jobseeking unaffordable

AT LEAST 100k a year hit by highest-level benefit sanctions
 
Universal Credit/JSA Regulations

***** 

Read It And Weep 9

*****RIAW 8, here: RIAW 7, here: RIAW 6, here: RIAW 5, here: RIAW 4, here:
RIAW 3, here: RIAW 2, here: RIAW 1, here.*****

*****

Forced Labour (WP/WF/WCA), Welfare, Entitlements and General

*****

Benefit cap 'will encourage people to work'

Benefits cap trial defended by minister
 
New blitz on benefit cheats: Worst offenders will lose payouts for up to THREE years

Welfare Cuts 'Will Widen North-South Divide'

PCS Union opposes conditionality and sanctions targets

PCS opposes conditionality and sanctions targets
 
Homebase criticised over work experience claims
 
TUC analysis highlights reality of unemployment in north east and Cumbria

KARL MCCARTNEY: We are on the side of people who work hard in this country

Government blackmails unemployed into making hopeless job applications

East Ham Labour MP Stephen Timms on why Newham are having another jobs fair
 
Barclaycard offer Work Pairings programme

Sheffield’s jobless shooting for success at A4e job fair

Need your grass cut? Contact Dervock Community Association

Back to Work scheme praised by new Hotel Cristina employee
 
Welfare reforms could lead to large increase in Mansfield rent arrears

Duncan Smith defiant as disabled benefit changes bite
 
More than 30 find work with logistics firm
 
Employment Consultant - Recruitment Consultant, Work Programme, Welfar

Disputing a decision - Universal Credit, PIP, contributory ESA, contribution-based JSA (CAB)

Children Living in Poverty Are Facing a Perfect Storm

Liars of the Left - Angry IDS shreds Labour ‘dishonesty’ over welfare

The Welfare Mission

Labour outlines plan to tie benefits to contribution 
 
Harriet Harman: people feel 'resentful' of benefit claimants 'not pulling their weight'

Working parents exasperated over large families on benefits, says Harman
 
Simon Danczuk MP: 'We can’t ignore the tragedy of people’s potential going to waste'

George Osborne: I'm in tune with country on welfare
 
Troubled families: 'You need to do something bad before you get support'

Labour reconsiders welfare position

Vulnerable Work Programme customers need greater protection, finds new report (CESI)

Work Programme in London (LVSC)

Work Programme evaluation released
 
Crazy situation where you earn more on benefits than you do at work ends NOW

'Welfare reforms are evil,' warns Welsh charity boss 
 
Giving the game away 
 
Why Conservative benefit cuts won't get Britain working

Powers target the ‘cynical minority’

Peering into the black box: innovation and the Work Programme

Work Programme Customer Service Advisor

What about A4e?
 
George Osborne sparks benefits storm over Mick Philpott Derby house fire
 
Don't get mad about the Mail's use of the Philpotts to tarnish the poor – get even

Who cares?

A4e helped me get my life back 

*****

Universal Credit

*****

Working universal credit recipients may be forced to move job to work more hours 
 
Universal credit free prescription trial downsized
 
New universal credit system presents the challenge of budgeting
 
Universal Credit's ‘digital by default’ ditched

Mobile rent payments could help landlords curb arrears under Universal Credit

DWP hires Olympics construction director to head up Universal Credit

Universal Credit test launch delayed

Universal Credit award

CLG Select Committee express concern over Universal Credit scheme

Response to CLG Committee report on Universal Credit
 
Government pledges £400k universal credit IT cash 
 
MPs concerned about Universal Credit fraud risk

Universal Credit – An Overview 

Britain's New Tax Reporting System Draws Criticism
 
Benefits reform trial defended

DWP continues to scope Universal Credit budgeting product

Universal credit
 
What is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit Pathfinders delayed

Tax changes to wipe out Christmas bonuses 
 
Universal Credit: Hardly universal, and no credit to anybody

Will Universal Credit be a change for the better? Editor's Eye comment
 
Universal Credit

*****

Universal Jobmatch

*****

Are Cookies Strictly Necessary For User On Universal Jobmatch (FOIR)

Request To The Information Commissioner's Office, Regarding Universal Jobmatch Privacy Issues (FOIR)

Universal Jobmatch and the 35 hour per week 35 hours per week undertaking Work Search and Preparation? (FOIR)

The experiences of one jobseeker in using Universal Jobmatch – a worrying sign for Universal Credit?

Universal Jobmatch registration requirement at Ashton-under-Lyne (FOIR)  

Nigel

Request To The Information Commissioner's Office, Regarding Universal Jobmatch Privacy Issues

"WP/UJ/Cookies

Nigel Oldfield, 7 Mar, to casework, casework@ico.gsi.gov.uk

Dear Sir or Madam,

I refer you to my previous communication:

*****

Nigel Oldfield 24/12/2012

Dear Sir or Madam,

As you may be aware, the DWP appears to be on the verge of making access to The Universal Jobmatch system, mandatory, for those claiming certain benefits.

The system uses multiple cookies, from the DWP/Monster, so as to monitor claimants' activities, whenever it will choose to do so.

It appears, that the suggested mandatory nature, can only require, that these cookies be accepted and maintained; to not do so, will lead to sanctions and loss of benefits.

For personal, security, reasons, I clean my PC, at regular intervals. I am sure you will recognise, how these conflicting issues will be a problem, in the future, for many users.

Have you (or others) done any preliminary work, with the DWP (or others), on the legality and ramifications, of this issue?

I look forward to your reply.

Yours,

Dr Nigel Leigh Oldfield"

Reply

"Response from the Information Commissioner's Office[Ref. ENQ*******]

casework@ico.org.uk, 14:38 (1 hour ago), to me, PROTECT, 28 March 2013

Case Reference Number ENQ*******

Dear Dr Oldfield

We are now in a position to provide you with a response to your enquiry regarding the DWP’s Universal Jobmatch system and we apologise for the length of time it has taken to respond to you.

Following a number of enquiries/complaints which we received regarding the DWP and the new Universal Jobmatch service, our Strategic Liaison department contacted the DWP to raise concerns about the new online service, particularly in relation to the quality of information about the service, security of the site and contradictory messages about whether it was mandatory or not. We also highlighted to the DWP people’s concerns about the wording of the terms and conditions, particularly the disclaimers about who could access people’s information, and the lack of clarity about who was the data controller for the online service.

Organisations that process personal information are required to do so in accordance with the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA). The first data protection principle states that personal data shall be processed ‘fairly and lawfully’ and a key element of fairness is ensuring people know who is processing their information and how it will be used. We raised our concerns with the DWP and advised that they should review the information they were providing to ensure it complied with the DPA requirements and we recommended that privacy notices should be visible, easy to access and written in a way that could be easily understood by their client group. We also advised of the lack of clarity about which organisation was responsible for the personal data on the Universal Jobmatch online service.

DWP confirmed that the Universal Jobmatch site is a separate, bespoke job search site created for DWP by Monster. It also confirmed that security safeguards had been built into the site but accepted that the disclaimers in the terms and conditions made it appear that this was not the case. DWP informed us that the site was secure and they would look again at the privacy notice and terms and conditions to ensure these complied with the DPA.

In response to contradictory information about whether the service was compulsory or not, DWP confirmed on 28 February that Jobseeker Allowance claimants could be required to use the Universal Jobmatch service from 1 March 2013, and that this could well be mandatory.

It would appear that to a large extent the enquiries/complaints we have received mainly resulted from unclear information provided through either their websites or staff. We now understand after consulting with the DWP that they have revised the privacy policy, provided additional guidance to advisers, produced leaflets and used easier to understand information about the scheme. We also understand that the terms and conditions have been replaced by a webpage on ‘standards of behaviour for jobseekers’ (see link below). DWP has also assured us that they have taken additional steps to guard against bogus employers, including increased checks on employer and vacancy details.

https://jobsearch.direct.gov.uk/register.aspx?redirect=http%3a%2f%2fjobsearch.direct.gov.uk%2fhome.aspx

Moving forward from this point

If you now have any further concerns in relation to the Universal Jobmatch process, its implementation or the DWP services then you will need to raise these directly with the DWP. It is not within our remit to comment on how this process works or the fact that this has now become a mandatory process.

If you wish to raise concerns with the DWP you can access information about their complaint process through this link - http://www.dwp.gov.uk/contact-us/complaints-and-appeals/

We are satisfied that the DWP have taken on board the nature of the complaints and enquiries we have received in relation to Universal Jobmatch and matters of concern with the DPA and that they have put the necessary steps in place to comply with the DPA.

Therefore, if you have specific concerns in relation to your personal data and compliance with the DPA, then in the first instance you would need to raise this in writing with the DWP to give them the opportunity to look into your concerns and respond to you.

If after doing this you are not satisfied with their response you may be able to raise this as a complaint with our office, for further information on this process please helpline on 0303 123 1113 to discuss your concerns.

I appreciate that this information may not address all your concerns but hope this satisfies the DPA element for which our office regulates. If you wish to know more about the DPA please see our website www.ico.org.uk Yours sincerely

Thomas Booker
Case Officer - First Contact Group
Information Commissioner’s Office
Direct dial number - 01625 545552
____________________________________________________________________

The ICO’s mission is to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.

If you are not the intended recipient of this email (and any attachment), please inform the sender by return email and destroy all copies. Unauthorised access, use, disclosure, storage or copying is not permitted.

Communication by internet email is not secure as messages can be intercepted and read by someone else. Therefore we strongly advise you not to email any information, which if disclosed to unrelated third parties would be likely to cause you distress. If you have an enquiry of this nature please provide a postal address to allow us to communicate with you in a more secure way. If you want us to respond by email you must realise that there can be no guarantee of privacy.

Any email including its content may be monitored and used by the Information Commissioner's Office for reasons of security and for monitoring internal compliance with the office policy on staff use. Email monitoring or blocking software may also be used. Please be aware that you have a responsibility to ensure that any email you write or forward is within the bounds of the law.

The Information Commissioner's Office cannot guarantee that this message or any attachment is virus free or has not been intercepted and amended. You should perform your own virus checks. __________________________________________________________________

Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF, Tel: 0303 123 1113 Fax: 01625 524 510 Web: www.ico.org.uk"

*****

Universal Jobmatch website – Standards of Behaviour for Jobseekers (DWP)

Universal Jobmatch website – Standards of Behaviour for Jobseekers (DWP)

*****

Nigel

Read It And Weep 8

*****RIAW 7, here: RIAW 6, here: RIAW 5, here: RIAW 4, here:
RIAW 3, here: RIAW 2, here: RIAW 1, here.*****

2013

*****

Forced Labour (WP/WF/WCA), Welfare, Entitlements and General

*****

‘Food stamps’ to be issued in Britain next week to tens of thousands of vulnerable people as part of benefits shake-up (DM)

A portrait of desperate Britain: 4,000 job seekers queue for chance of employment at new shopping centre (DM)

Area Leader in A4E Ltd
 
Sanctions - shocking story

Who cares?

Jobcentre boss denies use of targets for applying sanctions to jobseekers (Guardian)

Targets - what about the Work Programme?

Labour demands action over jobcentre targets (Guardian)
 
Provider ends contract due to ‘unsustainable Work Programme’

Jobseekers (Back to Work Schemes) Workfare Bill

The work programme: experience of different user groups: UNCORRECTED TRANSCRIPT OF ORAL EVIDENCE

Inside Prospects: Work Programme (London)
 
The Does It Work? Programme
 
Work Programme

Only 60 per cent of voluntary sector providers 'intend to stay in the Work Programme'
 
Budget 2013: Hidden agenda to cut Social Security Welfare further

A GOVERNMENT work programme called Ingeus has been helping Bankies get a successful 'response' on the job market

A4e coach Suzanne Green wins top award

Sturgeon: we'll kick out the bedroom tax in an independent Scotland
 
Landlord to end work programme contract

More from the Guardian on targets for sanctions

Jobcentre was set targets for benefit sanctions (Guardian)

Government admits Jobcentres set targets to take away benefits (Guardian)

Iain Duncan Smith denies jobcentres have targets for sanctioning benefits (Guardian)

Work Programme: Report highlights problems (BBC)
 
Second Work Programme evaluation report: Commissioning and supply chain management

Work Programme Evaluation: Procurement, supply chains and implementation of the commissioning model (CESI/DWP)

RR 832 Work Programme Evaluation: Procurement, supply chains and implementation of the commissioning model (DWP)

Work Programme Evaluation: March 2013
 
Five things the government won’t tell you about Workfare

Work Programme – Not Working

The Work Programme isn't working
 
G4S: Some subcontractors on Work Programme not delivering

Lessons from the Work Programme in the reform of rehabilitation services

Work programme fails young people

Work Programme
 
Work Programme target levels “too ambitious”, says select committee

Charities focus on failings of Work Programme (HS)
 
Workfare profiteers A4e and Ingeus targeted 

Work Programme

Thank God for the bishops 

Work Programme 'depends on economy'

Let’s ditch workfare and introduce the Community Allowance instead

Let social landlords run the Work Programme

Guidance Officer - Work Programme

Work Programme – Outcome Statistics (2012) (HMG/DWP)

DWP seeks law change to avoid benefit repayments after Poundland ruling (Independent)

Work programme jobseekers denied compensation for docked benefits
 
Programme 'failing single parents' (E&S)

Report says Work Programme and job centre fail to deliver for single parents

Where next for back-to-work support? (NS)

Opinion: welfare reform and the effect on lone workers
 
JHP Employability – workfare pimps
 
Welfare reform 'black hole' appears outside fish shop
 
Derbyshire welfare-to-work trial rejected by 60 on benefits (BBC)
 
Byrne, L - Work Programme sanctions
 
What is Work Experience?

Boycott Workfare

Final evidence session on the Work Programme (CSC)

Access to Work Programme
 
Work Programme
 
Welsh Affairs Committee - Citizens Advice Cymru; Oxfam Cymru - The Work Programme in Wales

The Work Programme in Wales
 
Work Programme
 
Work and Pensions Committee - Business Disability Forum; de Poel; Timpson; TfL - Work Programme

Pearson - Work Programme
 
Council work experience scheme goes from strength to strength (WSCT)

PRESS RELEASE - Paralympian Helen Arbuthnot motivates jobseekers on the Work Programme to find employment

Ex drug users and alcoholics 'can make the best workers' says Iain Duncan Smith (Telegraph)

Barclays recruit 1,000 more apprentices and launch new youth working programm

Apprenticeships are a 'poor relation' to university, working parents tell CIPD

Unemployed Barrow man lands job due to Evening Mail (NWEM)

Bath success for back-to-work scheme (BC)
 
NFC and Work Program Referral (FOIR)
 
Work Capability Assessment

Universal Credit test launches in 7 weeks
 
A brief history of "social housing"

*****

Universal Credit

*****

Landlords to gather for universal credit talk (LDE)

Universal Credit local services support framework paper (CAB)

Legal threat over Universal Credit scheme
 
Universal Credit not at odds with agile, says former chief
 
The Free School Lunches and Milk (Universal Credit) (England) Order 2013

The Universal Credit (Consequential, Supplementary, Incidental and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2013
 
Universal Credit Regulations

Universal Credit toolkit for partner organisations (DWP)   

New childcare policy excludes nearly 1m of UK's poorest families (Guardian)
 
Will rent arrears increase after Universal Credit introduction?

Ministers may increase direct payment exceptions

A New Patient Exemption - Universal Credit

Universal Credits

North West to benefit from Universal Credit
 
Universal Credit: A 'springboard' into local and better banking
 
Get ready for Universal Credit

Universal Credit Toolkit - Money Advice Service
 
Has the Universal Credit scheme already failed?

Universal Credit calculations 'will be done manually with spreadsheets'

Digital drive could take down universal credit
 
IDA services put on ice for Universal Credit delivery

Universal credit pilots issue digital access warning
 
Digital Exclusion (Universal Credit)

The vultures circle over Universal Credit IT
 
Universal credit benefits system 'in meltdown', claims Labour (Guardian)

DWP denies major IT problems with One Dole To Rule Them All system

MP adamant Universal Credit IT suppliers told to down tools

Universal credit: Concerns raised over IT system (BBC)

Universal Credit – computer says no? 

Implementing Universal Credit and supporting service users 
 
Universal Credit and Online Claims

Universal Credit
 
The Rent Officers (Universal Credit Functions) Order 2013
 
Households hammered: 9 in 10 families to be worse off by 2015 by up £2,000 a year (M)

Universal Credit: How will changes in state benefits affect me? (M)
 
Universal Credit – how it works and criticisms

Are we ready for Universal Credit?
 
Universal Credit

Universal Credit
 
Universal Credit: questions remain over implementation
 
Supplementary Estimates 2012-13 — Department for Work and Pensions — Universal Credit

Welsh Universal Credit trials make good tenants turn bad!

Universal Credit: Oral Answers to Questions — Wales

Plaid MP warns Universal Credit policy won't work for Wales
 
Universal Credit: tenants could be 'a broken washing machine away from not paying rent'

Universal Credit implementation: meeting the needs of vulnerable claimants

Opinion: is the Universal Credit challenge greater than feared?

Rent arrears soar sevenfold in Universal Credit trial

Landlords prepare for Universal Credit with direct debit switch

Universal Credit demands a new approach to bank accounts
 
DWP and Treasury in standoff over £145 million Universal Credit fund
 
London Assembly demands 'urgent review' of Universal Credit over direct payment fears
 
Universal credit threatens eviction amnesty
 
Universal Credit director ‘moves on to other work’ after just four months

Another Universal Credit leader stands down
 
Comment: Universal Credit should provide food for thought (MKC)

Dorset MP's concerns over new credit for poor
 
Universal Credit
 
Universal Credit

'Bedroom tax will stop new homes being built'

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Universal Jobmatch

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FOI Watch: DWP discloses nearly 200 Universal Jobmatch docs/updates
 
A Deadly Warning From Across the Ocean for Universal Jobmatch
 
Diary: openings galore on IDS's Universal Jobmatch website, aka the universal dog's breakfast (Independent)
 
Compulsory use of Universal Jobmatch (FOIR)
 
DWP internal Universal Jobmatch guidance published
 
Universal Jobmatch: Your rights
 
Universal Jobmatch: How to remove DWP account access if given

Universal Jobmatch: Cookies
 
Equality Impact Assessment for Universal Jobmatch
 
Universal Jobmatch faqs,(question and answer brief) (FOIR)
 
Guidance (FOIR)

Privacy Impact Assessment for Universal Jobmatch (FOIR)

Universal Jobmatch Toolkit Chapters 1, 2, 3 and all others (FOIR)
 
Written question on Universal Job Match

Universal Jobmatch Awareness Training launched in Plymouth for jobseekers

Job seekers in Devonport in Plymouth get helping hand with job-finding training sessions (PH)

Jobseekers required to use Universal Jobmatch

Universal Jobmatch Mandatory (but not ‘Blanket’) from 4th March

Universal Job Match site is now mandatory, but not problem free

“4 March 2013 – Jobseekers required to use Universal Jobmatch”


Nigel

Read It And Weep 7

*****RIAW 6, here RIAW 5, here: RIAW 4, here: RIAW 3, here:
RIAW 2, here: RIAW 1, here.*****

2013

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Forced Labour (WP/WF/WCA), Welfare, Entitlements and General

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Welby’s call on welfare puts IDS on the defensive (Independent)
 
Business News: Numbers of employed are up as firms see benefits of taking on trainees (CT)

Council loses major contract (WT)
 
Work programme farce must end now

Disappointment by results
 
iSociety: Committee to benefit from rare sighting of welfare minister (HS)

Charity helps 900 people back into work (M24)

Work Programme 'depends on economy' (E&S)

Work Programme toils in vain to get results (TES)
 
Accent chief exec speaks out in response to concerns over Work Programme
 
Skills conditionality guidance (FOIR)
 
Skills Conditionality

College helps local people to manage their money

Is Chris Grayling running scared of Margaret Hodge? (NS)
 
Revealed: Tory scheme to get disabled back to work finds places for just TEN people (DR)

MP spends time with jobseekers (Star)

Work Programme Consultant 
 
'Social landlords should deliver the Work Programme'
 
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Universal Credit

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(No. 380) Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Claims and Payments) Regulations 2013 laid before Parliament

***** The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 2013 ***** 

Universal credit has descended into universal chaos

Universal credit benefits system 'in meltdown', claims Labour
 
Universal credit scheme 'on track'

Universal Credit: Local Support Services Framework

Estimates day debates: Universal Credit and Regulation of Medical Implants 

Universal credit benefits system 'in meltdown', claims Labour (Guardian)

Digital access will make or break Universal Credit, say charities and HAs
 
Universal Credit
 
Universal Credit rollout 'is on course'
 
Universal Credit and Online Claims
 
Implementing Universal Credit and supporting service users
 
Local job services ‘vital to ensure Universal Credit works’
 
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Universal Jobmatch

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4 March 2013 – Jobseekers required to use Universal Jobmatch (DWP)

Jobseekers can be required to use Universal Jobmatch or risk losing benefits

Universal Jobmatch: Cookies
 
Mandating to Universal Jobmatch: Update (PCS)

TOPIC: Universal Jobmatch Latest
 
Universal Job Match - Do NOT sign!

Universal Jobmatch service getting '6 million searches daily'
 
“4 March 2013 – Jobseekers required to use Universal Jobmatch”
 
Universal Jobmatch – Privacy Policy

Universal Jobmatch: Update from PCS Union, March 1st 2013
 
Nigel