Written Questions on Unemployment
Jim Knight: The key aim of Flexible New Deal is to help long-term unemployed people prepare for, find and remain in work. Flexible New Deal providers have been given the flexibility to deliver a range of support based on the needs of individuals who are referred to them.
DWP has an ongoing programme of performance monitoring and improvement activity and in addition, the quality of services will be monitored through external inspection of the Flexible New Deal supplier (Ofsted in England, Estyn in Wales and HMIe in Scotland). Results will be published and will inform the performance
rating of the supplier, taking into account the quality of service as well as performance in terms of job outcomes and sustained job outcomes.
In 10 of the 14 Flexible New Deal areas, two suppliers are contracted to deliver Flexible New Deal services to customers. From October 2010 customers will have the right to choose the supplier offering the service best suited to their needs, using information about the support available and performance ratings of the Flexible New Deal suppliers. From April 2011, better performing providers in customer choice areas could gain market share.
The funding system is performance based, with the majority of the contract value allocated for outcome payments to the supplier when a jobseeker enters work that lasts 13 weeks and then again at 26 weeks. DWP believes that this range of measures provides the correct balance to ensure relevant and effective services are delivered to Flexible New Deal customers.
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps are being taken under the Flexible New Deal programme to get people into work lasting 12 months or more; and if she will make a statement. [298190]
Jim Knight: The key aim of Flexible New Deal is to help long-term unemployed people prepare for, find and remain in work. Flexible New Deal suppliers will work with each customer to decide the best way to help them into sustained employment, and will offer support tailored to the needs of the individual.
The funding system is performance based, with the majority of the contract value allocated for outcome payments to the provider when a jobseeker enters work that lasts 13 weeks and then again at 26 weeks. DWP believes that this provides the correct balance between supplier incentives and value for money. After a person has been employed for 26 out of the previous 30 weeks they are more likely to remain in a job in the longer term.
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