Ministers must not ignore failings of the Work Programme, says TUC

date: 20 May 2013

embargo: 00:01 hours Tuesday 21 May 2013

Responding to today's (Tuesday) report by the Work and Pensions Committee, which says that Work Programme providers are failing to meet their basic targets and are doing very little to help disadvantaged job seekers, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said:

'This report raises a number of very serious concerns about the Work Programme that cannot be swept under the carpet.

'Providers of job support have failed to achieve their minimum performance targets and are not doing enough to help disadvantaged job seekers.

'The committee is right to be 'dismayed' at the huge caseloads advisers are being landed with. This is clearly preventing them from providing the tailored assistance individuals need to find lasting employment.

'Instead of continuing to fund failing programmes, the government should introduce a job guarantee for all those facing long-term unemployment.'

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