Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to improve the performance of the Work Programme for jobseekers aged over 50.
The Work Programme is continuing to offer tailored support to those people over 50 at risk of becoming long-term unemployed and providers are continuing to design support based on each individual need.
We are committed to ensuring the Work Programme performs at the highest level. DWP has restructured its performance management activities to ensure delivery of better outcomes.
For the first time, a Government employment programme is harnessing the disciplines of the market place so that only those providers who succeed are retained to help claimants into work.