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9 November 2010
The DWP business plan has now been published. It sets out the following intentions:
1.1 Introduce the Universal Credit
1.2 Take the powers necessary to implement the Universal Credit, along with the other changes announced in the June 2010 Budget and Spending Review 1.3 Reassess Incapacity Benefit recipients for their readiness to work and their migration to the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or other benefits appropriate to their circumstances including introducing the revised Work Capability Assessment
1.4 Introduce housing benefit reforms
1.5 Introduce a fairer approach to calculating Support for Mortgage Interest
1.6 Introduce household cap so that no workless family can receive more in welfare than median after tax earnings for working households
1.7 Localise Council Tax Benefit
1.8 Switch to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) for indexation of benefits and public service pensions
1.9 Further reduce fraud and error in the benefits system to a maximum of 1.8% of expenditure
1.10 Permanently increase the level of cold weather payments
1.11 Time limit contributory Employment and Support Allowance
2.1 Create an integrated welfare to work programme to help unemployed people, including those in disadvantaged groups, get back into work, with providers paid largely by results and including the use of benefit savings from people moving into work. Ensure that Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants facing the most significant barriers to work are rapidly referred to the new programme.
2.2 Promote self-employment to unemployed people.
2.3 Establish a network of locally led Work Clubs in community settings where people can meet, exchange skills, share experiences and receive support in finding local job opportunities.
2.4 Offer work experience placements to young unemployed people.
2.5 Help connect unemployed people with volunteering opportunities in their area through a new volunteering initiative called Work Together.
2.6 Work with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to ensure that Jobcentre Plus, Work Programme providers, further education colleges and other training providers collaborate so that people on active benefits have access to training to find and keep work, and progress once in work.
2.7 Give employment support to unemployed offenders and ex-offenders, with the providers paid by the results of getting people into work, working with the Ministry of Justice.
5.1 Improve the work opportunities of disabled people with the greatest barriers to employment through Work Choice training and support.
5.2 Reform Access to Work, so disabled people can apply for jobs with funding already secured for any adaptations and equipment they will need.
5.3 Introduce the ‘Right to Control’ in seven locations, giving disabled people the right to have specific services arranged on their behalf or to commission services and purchase equipment directly by taking a cash payment.
5.4 Ensure carers receive the right employment support, working with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to extend flexible working opportunities and support into work those who wish to seek paid employment.
5.5 Support the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to deliver highly accessible Olympic and Paralympic Games that leave a lasting legacy for disabled people.
5.6 Reform Disability Living Allowance (DLA), ensuring fair access to benefits.
5.7 Remove payment of mobility component in Disability Living Allowance for all state funded residents in care homes after 28 days (and abolishing motability extension for hospital in-patients).
5.8 Reform the Independent Living Fund (ILF) to provide those disabled people who face the greatest barriers with sustainable funding for independent living.
5.9 Introduce extra support for disabled people who want to become MPs, councillors or other elected officials.
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