DWP’s preparations for changes in the world of work

Work and Pensions Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 14 May 2020 Closed: 2 Feb 2022 Parliament page
This inquiry looked at how prepared the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and its Jobcentre Plus network is for changes in the world of work brought about by new technology. It focussed on: The challenges the DWP faces as a result of technological change How prepared the DWP is … Read more
21 Recommendations
4 Conclusions
1 Report
6 Oral sessions
1 Letter
6 Events
Activity timeline 9 events
12 Nov
2021
Report published
29 Jun
2021
Report published
22 Jun
2021
Correspondence
11 Feb
2021
Oral evidence
13 Jan
2021
Oral evidence
25 Nov
2020
Oral evidence
11 Nov
2020
Oral evidence
4 Nov
2020
Oral evidence
23 Sep
2020
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 6 sessions
11 Feb 2021
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DWP’s preparations for changes in the world of work
John Paul Marks · Department for Work and Pensions Jonathan Mills · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Mims Davies MP · Department for Work and Pensions
13 Jan 2021
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Work and Pensions Committee
Antony Walker · techUK Dr George Zarkadakis · Willis Towers Watson Tamara Hill · British Retail Consortium Tebessum Rashid · Black Training and Enterprise Group Verity Davidge · Make UK
25 Nov 2020
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DWP’s preparations for changes in the world of work
Carys Roberts · Institute for Public Policy Research Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson · UK Women's Budget Group Hector Minto · Microsoft James Taylor · Scope Julia Waltham · Working Families Kim Chaplain · Centre for Ageing Better
11 Nov 2020
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DWP’s preparations for the world of work–Universal Basic income
Anthony Painter Dr Malcolm Torry · University of Bath Edward Davies · Centre for Social Justice Paul Vaughan · Fife Council Professor Nick Pearce
4 Nov 2020
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DWP’s preparations for changes in the world of work
Anna Thomas · Institute for the Future of Work Associate Professor Jo Ingold · Deakin University, Faculty of Business and Law Ian Pope · Public and Commercial Services Union Jonathan Boys · Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Kate Bell · Trades Union Congress Professor Alan Felstead · Cardiff University School of Social Sciences
23 Sep 2020
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Work and Pensions Committee meeting
Ashley McCaul · ThinkForward Ben Marson · The Prince's Trust Joe Fitzsimons · Institute of Directors Laura-Jane Rawlings · Youth Employment UK Sam Windett · Impetus Torsten Bell · Resolution Foundation
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - DWP’s preparations for changes in the world of wo… HC 216 29 Jun 2021 25 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
11 results
Clear
2 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - DWP’s preparations …
We heard evidence that DWP has not been proactive enough in planning for long- term...
We heard evidence that DWP has not been proactive enough in planning for long- term changes to the world of work, and that it has largely reacted to change instead of planning ahead for a range of different scenarios or … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on BEIS's commitment to establishing a single enforcement body for employment rights, which is a component of safeguarding workers' rights, but does not address the core recommendation for DWP to develop a comprehensive strategy for long-term labour market changes and the impact of new technology.
Department for Work and Pensions
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3 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - DWP’s preparations …
New technology has the potential to enhance employees’ experience of work; for example, by allowing...
New technology has the potential to enhance employees’ experience of work; for example, by allowing for greater use of remote working and replacing more mundane tasks. However, there is also a risk that technology could have an adverse impact on … Read more
Government Response
The government's response describes existing inter-departmental work to identify skills and job demand, but it does not address the recommendation to safeguard employees' rights and wellbeing or ensure job quality in the context of new technology.
Department for Work and Pensions
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4 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - DWP’s preparations …
Responsibility for responding to changes in the world of work does not sit with one...
Responsibility for responding to changes in the world of work does not sit with one department. DWP told us that it works with other government departments to help fill roles in sectors where there is growing demand: for example, with … Read more
Government Response
The government's response lists existing bodies related to AI and data ethics but does not explain how DWP will take a more strategic approach to engaging with other departments or work with MHCLG on the Levelling Up programme, as recommended.
Department for Work and Pensions
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5 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - DWP’s preparations …
We welcome the Government’s announcement that it will publish a new AI Strategy later this...
We welcome the Government’s announcement that it will publish a new AI Strategy later this year that will focus on economic growth through widespread use of digital technologies and on developing every adult’s digital skills. DWP should work closely with … Read more
Government Response
The government's response highlights existing bodies like the Office for AI, the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, and the AI Council. It does not, however, commit to DWP working closely with DCMS and BEIS on the development of the new AI Strategy or ensuring the strategy addresses the impact of AI on the labour market.
Department for Work and Pensions
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6 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - DWP’s preparations …
The Government has committed to introducing an Employment Bill in this Parliament which will “build...
The Government has committed to introducing an Employment Bill in this Parliament which will “build on existing employment law with measures that protect those in low-paid work and the gig economy”. In our earlier report on DWP’s response to the … Read more
Government Response
The government's response states that they have shared the recommendations with the ONS, which does not address the core recommendation to set a timescale for the Employment Bill or publish it in draft.
Department for Work and Pensions
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10 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - DWP’s preparations …
DWP must ensure that its digital skills offer is accessible and inclusive for disabled people.
DWP must ensure that its digital skills offer is accessible and inclusive for disabled people. It should set out how it intends to increase the proportion of disabled people who benefit from its support and commit to publishing data on this.
Government Response
The government highlights the DfE's introduction of a legal entitlement for fully funded digital qualifications (entry level and level 1) for adults with low digital skills, alongside new Essential Digital Skills Qualifications (EDSQs). The response does not specifically address how DWP will ensure its digital skills offer is accessible and inclusive for disabled people or commit to publishing relevant data.
Department for Work and Pensions
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12 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - DWP’s preparations …
The employment gap between White and BAME workers remains too high, despite the Government’s intent...
The employment gap between White and BAME workers remains too high, despite the Government’s intent to reduce it. There is a risk that the gap will widen if, as some predict, automation affects some ethnic groups more significantly than others. … Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses BEIS's evaluation of the Shared Parental Leave and Pay scheme, which is entirely unrelated to the committee's conclusion on employment gaps for BAME workers, the differential impact of automation on men and women, or the need for diverse expertise.
Department for Work and Pensions
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13 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - DWP’s preparations …
We recommend that, as part of its commitment to levelling up, the Government should establish...
We recommend that, as part of its commitment to levelling up, the Government should establish a new publicly funded advisory body of experts with a focus on the potential impact of changes in the world of work on different groups … Read more
Government Response
The government response discusses introducing markers on the Universal Credit system to gather claimant characteristics for tailored support, and highlights existing evaluation processes for Kickstart and Restart programmes. This does not address the recommendation to establish a new advisory body.
Department for Work and Pensions
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16 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - DWP’s preparations …
Unemployment has risen because of the pandemic, but some sectors have been hit harder than...
Unemployment has risen because of the pandemic, but some sectors have been hit harder than others. Sectors which have seen the highest proportion of job losses are those that have been “shut down” in response to the pandemic, such as … Read more
Government Response
The government's response describes existing engagement with local stakeholders to understand labour market issues but does not address how the Kickstart and Restart schemes will specifically meet the needs of disabled people or commit to collecting better data.
Department for Work and Pensions
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18 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - DWP’s preparations …
We reiterate our recommendation, first made in October 2020, that the Department should immediately make...
We reiterate our recommendation, first made in October 2020, that the Department should immediately make improvements to the Universal Credit system to enable it to record and use data about claimants’ characteristics. Without those improvements, the Department cannot effectively measure … Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses increasing Disability Employment Advisers and reviewing their roles, but it does not address the recommendation to improve the Universal Credit system for recording claimant characteristics data or provide a timeline for such improvements.
Department for Work and Pensions
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22 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - DWP’s preparations …
It is essential that Work Coaches have a detailed understanding of the local labour market.
It is essential that Work Coaches have a detailed understanding of the local labour market. Business engagement is a key route to understanding the changing jobs market and the nature of skills that employers are looking for. We heard evidence, … Read more
Government Response
The government states Work Coaches are supported by dedicated Employer and Partnership Managers and Employer Advisers who handle direct business engagement. It also notes that Work Coaches receive comprehensive training that includes acquiring a working knowledge of their local labour market, but does not commit to specific business engagement training, time, or performance objectives for Work Coaches themselves.
Department for Work and Pensions
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Government Response AI assessment · 25 of 21 classified
Accepted 7
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 2
Not Addressed 11
Rejected 1
Total 21 recs + 4 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
22 Jun 2021 Correspondence with Secretary of State for DWP about the Restart scheme
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