1st Report – Employment support for disabled people: Connect to Work

Select Committee

Work and Pensions Committee HC 77 23 June 2026

Report Status Response due 23 Aug 2026

Conclusions & Recommendations 21 items (5 recs)

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Recommendations & Conclusions

21 results

1 Conclusion

We welcome the focus of Connect to Work on ensuring support is targeted at people...

Conclusion

We welcome the focus of Connect to Work on ensuring support is targeted at people who are currently out of paid employment and face the greatest barriers to employment, particularly disabled people and those with long- term health conditions. The … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

2 Conclusion

We welcome Connect to Work’s solid foundations in internationally recognised supported employment models grounded in...

Conclusion

We welcome Connect to Work’s solid foundations in internationally recognised supported employment models grounded in person-centred, values-based approaches, that are widely regarded as an effective framework for supporting disabled people into sustainable employment. The programme’s scale, national coordination, and delivery … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

3 Conclusion

We welcome the programme’s devolved design and recognise the government’s view that it appropriately balances...

Conclusion

We welcome the programme’s devolved design and recognise the government’s view that it appropriately balances national oversight with local flexibility. We are reassured that extensive performance monitoring is part of CtW, and that there is also a comprehensive evaluation programme … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

4 Conclusion

The early implementation of Connect to Work presented notable challenges as delivery arrangements were established.

Conclusion

The early implementation of Connect to Work presented notable challenges as delivery arrangements were established. Some local authorities reported that extensive administrative requirements at the outset slowed progress and complicated early delivery. While the programme’s model appropriately requires robust assurance … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

5 Conclusion

In response to our report, we ask that DWP provide an update on programme mobilisation,...

Conclusion

In response to our report, we ask that DWP provide an update on programme mobilisation, including the agreement of delivery plans and what steps it took to reduce delays, and set out what lessons it has learned that could be … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

6 Conclusion

Support from DWP during the launch of Connect to Work was not consistent across areas.

Conclusion

Support from DWP during the launch of Connect to Work was not consistent across areas. Differences in the quality and clarity of guidance, levels of engagement from Regional Engagement Leads, and the readiness of digital systems created challenges in the … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

7 Recommendation

DWP should outline how it intends to strengthen its operational processes to support a smoother...

Recommendation

DWP should outline how it intends to strengthen its operational processes to support a smoother operation of Connect to Work, including ensuring continuity in case management, updating the tools used for reviewing documentation, and reducing delays caused by slow or … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

8 Conclusion

Early feedback from local authorities demonstrated confidence in their ability to source, retrain and redeploy...

Conclusion

Early feedback from local authorities demonstrated confidence in their ability to source, retrain and redeploy staff, demonstrating strong local engagement. However, there is some misalignment between the readiness reported by local authorities at a commissioning level and the experience of … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

9 Conclusion

The effectiveness of employment support depends on the quality and expertise of those delivering it.

Conclusion

The effectiveness of employment support depends on the quality and expertise of those delivering it. Despite a shared skill base across programmes, providers continue to face challenges in recruiting and retaining staff with specialist expertise, reflecting wider labour market pressures. … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

10 Conclusion

In response to this report, DWP should outline what assessment it has made of workforce...

Conclusion

In response to this report, DWP should outline what assessment it has made of workforce capacity for Connect to Work. This should include whether workforce planning is in place, whether it thinks there are enough appropriately trained people to deliver … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

11 Conclusion

The success of Connect to Work will depend on how effectively it is integrated with...

Conclusion

The success of Connect to Work will depend on how effectively it is integrated with wider local systems. We are encouraged to see that the government recognises the importance of this approach. One of the most effective ways of supporting … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

12 Recommendation

We recommend that the government sets out its assessment of the adequacy of the cross-government...

Recommendation

We recommend that the government sets out its assessment of the adequacy of the cross-government support being provided to local authorities to enable them to provide a comprehensive offer of employment support to those who need it in their local … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

13 Conclusion

We support the national rollout of WorkWell.

Conclusion

We support the national rollout of WorkWell. By strengthening coordination between health and employment services, WorkWell has the potential to support clearer pathways between programmes, including Connect to Work, and to contribute to wider system change. Effective arrangements for information … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

14 Conclusion

In response to this report DWP should clearly outline indicative delivery and rollout arrangements for...

Conclusion

In response to this report DWP should clearly outline indicative delivery and rollout arrangements for WorkWell. This should include referral readiness and the point at which full delivery is expected in each Integrated Care Board (ICB), as well as how … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

15 Conclusion

The funding profile for CtW exposes some rigidity in how departmental resources are being managed...

Conclusion

The funding profile for CtW exposes some rigidity in how departmental resources are being managed across financial years, particularly where delivery does not align with planned timelines. The indication that any unspent funding from delays to Connect to Work would … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

16 Recommendation

In response to this report, the government should clearly set out how it has applied...

Recommendation

In response to this report, the government should clearly set out how it has applied proportional and effective financial management to maximise the use of allocated resources across financial years. Additionally, this should include a detailed explanation of its consideration … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

17 Conclusion

We welcome DWP’s intention to fund Connect to Work beyond the Spending Review period.

Conclusion

We welcome DWP’s intention to fund Connect to Work beyond the Spending Review period. It is encouraging that, as the programme was conceived from the outset as a multi-year intervention, early actions indicate a commitment to continuity. It is important … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

18 Recommendation

The government should set out a clear commitment to the long-term future of the programme...

Recommendation

The government should set out a clear commitment to the long-term future of the programme beyond the current Spending Review period. This should include a written statement of intent confirming that the programme is 35 expected to continue, providing local … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

19 Conclusion

We heard evidence that some areas experienced a gap in provision where referrals to the...

Conclusion

We heard evidence that some areas experienced a gap in provision where referrals to the Work and Health Programme Pioneer ended before Connect to Work was fully mobilised. Although the two programmes serve different cohorts, the absence of both in … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

20 Recommendation

In its response to this report, the government should set out clearly how individuals affected...

Recommendation

In its response to this report, the government should set out clearly how individuals affected by gaps between the Work and Health Programme Pioneer and the rollout of Connect to Work will be supported going forward. This should include an … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions

21 Conclusion

The DWP should improve its forward planning by using a systems-based approach to minimise the...

Conclusion

The DWP should improve its forward planning by using a systems-based approach to minimise the risk of gaps in provision and maintain continuity of support for people who need employment assistance. This includes planning programme transitions in a way that … Read more

Department for Work and Pensions