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Welfare Reform Bill

Preparing for work is only the first step. Once a person has entered work we want to ensure that they remain in work. That is why we have introduced tax credits, the national minimum wage and, more recently, rolled-out in-work credits and the in-work emergency discretionary fund nationally to ensure that work pays. It is not only financial support that will help people remain and progress in work but access to the right support at the right time to help them identify, update and develop the skills that they need to succeed in work. That is why we have invested heavily in the Learning and Skills Council and Train to Gain, as well as working towards introducing a new integrated employment and skills service that puts the individual at the core. That is why we recognised that we need to adopt a broad definition of work-related activity, one that encompasses both more traditional training skills and job-related support, and wider socially inclusive measures such as volunteering, undertaking parenting programmes or visiting a debt adviser. All of these will help a person make the transition to work. However, once they have made that transition, we also want them to stay in work and not rapidly return to benefits, so it is important that we take the opportunity, while preparing people for work in the progression-to-work pathfinders, to try to ensure that they have the skills and ability to remain in work. That is why we think it is important that the actions included in an individual’s action plan should include measures that will help them with the transition into paid work and provide them with the tools to remain there. In response to the points made by the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale, no one is guaranteeing that this process will enable someone to remain in work. The test ultimately will be whether someone does remain in work. This is about focusing on work-related activity and the barriers that people face, not only when getting into work but remaining and progressing in work. Identification of those issues could make a difference and, if they can be addressed, it will help people to get into and remain in work. This is not about the contracting arrangements and the providers but about the agreement that is reached in co-operation between the adviser and the claimant in relation to what activity will help move them closer to the labour market. This is not only about the activity which will help them get through the door and into a job, but about the barriers and the other matters that need to be addressed in order to help them make progress. That is why the Bill is drafted in the way that it is; that is the purpose of this expression. It is not meant to imply that people will be guaranteed a job for life or progression in a job.