Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Tuesday, 1 July 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 July 2008. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Monday, 6 October 2008 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Pathways to Work

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2008, Official Report, column 733W, on employment and support allowance, how many benefit recipients have found work following participation in Pathways to Work; what the average expenditure under the programme per job for each such participant has been since inception; and what forecast he has made of the number of people expected to find work as a result of planned spending on Pathways to Work for each of the next three years.

Answer: At the end of April 2007, 94,230 individuals were recorded as having participated in Pathways to Work and subsequently entering work. This number relates to job entries from both mandatory and voluntary customers. The historical cost per job in Pathways to Work is around £2,500.Planned spending is £300 million in 2008-09, £390 million in 2009-10 and £400 million in 2010-11. Figures provided, particularly for 2009-10 and 2010-11, are indicative allocations based on current assumptions and are subject to change.We do not formally forecast Pathways jobs, which depend on a range of factors including macroeconomic conditions and other policy changes.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 480 c69-70W; 216776
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Employment and Support Allowance
Monday, 16 June 2008
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Pathways to work programme
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk