Commenting on the National Audit Office report on the Work Programme of Tuesday today

Friday, 27 January 2012

Chris Ball, Chief Executive of TAEN – The Age and Employment Network says:

A devastating disappointment, says Chris Ball

“It is good to be able to see a report on the present state of play with the Work Programme.  

“However, while we appreciate that the welfare to work industry was put under huge pressure to come up with the goods in a very tight timescale, the predictions of the National Audit Office of the likely under-performance of participants in the Work Programme is a devastating disappointment and could call into question the financial viability of many of the contracts.

“The implication that providers will simply by-pass the more difficult job seekers, such as those who have been long-term unemployed, is deeply worrying.   People in the 50-64 age range are the worst hit by long-term unemployment and therefore this will disproportionately affect the older worker.

“Succeeding with older job seekers by providing specialist and intensive support becomes even more imperative in the light of this report.”