Social Firms UK

In its consultation on Welfare to Work Reform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) proposes that, apart from severely disabled people, or those with full-time caring responsibilities, the government expects everyone receiving benefits to take active steps towards employment and to take up suitable employment. They are introducing skills assessments and will make it compulsory for people receiving Job Seekers Allowance to take up training if the assessment shows that they need it. (They are consulting on whether training should be compulsory for people receiving Invalidity Benefit). They propose that people on JSA for more than 2 years will be required to take up unpaid work in the community. With the introduction of the Employment Support Allowance, people who are assessed as being in the Work Related Activity Group will be required to participate in Work Focussed Interviews and will receive personalised support to gain work.