14 December 2004 - Publication of DWP research report 214 a stepping stone to employment: an evaluation of permitted work rules wave 2
New research published by the Department for Work and Pensions describes the characteristics and experiences of people who have used the new Permitted Work Rules and to what extent the Rules have provided a ‘stepping stone’ to employment for participants.
The report presents the findings from a national telephone survey of Permitted Work Rules participants and in depth interviews with a smaller number of participants. It also reports the findings from focus groups with Jobcentre Plus staff.
The main findings are:
- The new Permitted Work Rules are working for some clients, in particular, those clients who are new to work. There is clear evidence that, for 24 per cent of clients, the Permitted Work Rules have acted as a stepping stone to employment, and as a shift away from benefits
- There are indications that some people with particular health conditions and impairments fare better than others in Permitted Work. Clients with musculo-skeletal difficulties and mental health conditions appear to be the most likely to have moved into sustained employment over time.
- Many respondents have discovered that their health conditions and impairments are not the barriers to work that they originally thought. Although many clients feared worsening health as a result of working, these fears were mainly unfounded.
- Working would appear to be very beneficial for those who have engaged in it. Many respondents said that working had improved their self-confidence and motivation, and had given them a greater sense of independence. There are some concerns that these gains will be lost, or reduced, if people cannot stay in (some) employment.
- Awareness and understanding of the new Permitted Work Rules is generally low amongst the Permitted Work Rules client group. Claimants have requested additional information, help and support about work-related issues, including more face-to-face contact. This is backed up by Jobcentre Plus staff, who believe that one-to-one contact can help people to progress into successful and sustainable job outcomes.
Notes for editors
- The Permitted Work Rules were introduced in April 2002.
- The Permitted Work Rules allow Incapacity Benefit recipients to earn up to £78 a week (16 hours at national minimum wage) for a period of up to 52 weeks and continue to receive benefit. The rules aim to help people on incapacity benefits to try some work whilst continuing to receive benefits with an emphasis on helping them to progress to full-time employment over time. The rules also allow Incapacity Benefit recipients to earn up to £20 a week indefinitely to help them keep in touch with the labour market. People on Income Support because of incapacity can also undertake Permitted Work but their benefit payments will be affected by earnings above £20.
- Some IB claimants work up to 16 hours but are supervised by a local authority or voluntary organisation in doing so. This group is allowed to work up to 16 hours a week for however long they remain on IB. This is called Supported Permitted Work.
- Information on methodology. A Wave 1 telephone survey of 1,435 PWR participants was carried out early in 2003. The Wave 2 telephone survey went back to 929 of these respondents in spring 2004. The telephone surveys were both supplemented with in-depth interviews of a smaller number of clients. There were also focus groups with staff at six Jobcentre Plus offices.
- # is equivalent to £.
- The full press release and administrative data analysis is available www.dwp.gov.uk/jad/index_2004.asp
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