This report is the twelfth in a series designed to provide statistical information on the performance of the Work Programme. It has been produced by the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA), the sector body for those organisations delivering or with an interest in employment support services. More information on the employment support sector and ERSA can be found at www.dev.ersa.org.uk. All enquiries should be directed to policy@ersa.org.uk / 020 3757 9415.
Executive Summary
• 753,000 individual jobseekers have now entered employment via the Work Programme from its inception in June 2011 to end September 2015. This compares to 731,000 people at end June 2015. This means that, over the last three months, 22,000 long term unemployed jobseekers gained some employment through the Work Programme. Figures showing the numbers of jobseekers referred to the programme to end September 2015 are classed as official data and will be released by the government on 17 December 2015.
• Over 183,000 young people have now found at least one job on the Work Programme, up from 178,000 three months before. This means that the Work Programme helped 5,000 young long term unemployed jobseekers gain some work between end June 2015 and end September 2015. The majority of these will turn into sustainable jobs, while others will have gained crucial work experience which will help them with job search in future.
• Overall, 45,253 jobseekers on Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) have now gained work though the programme. Many of these jobseekers have complex barriers to work and will never have received intensive support before. It should be noted that a significant number referred in this group have a 12+ month prognosis according to their Work Capability Assessment. This means that their health condition is such that they are not expected to be ready for work for at least 12 months.