18
Accepted
National into-work rate declined significantly with substantial regional and district variations.
Conclusion
In terms of the performance of jobcentres over time, the average monthly into-work rate reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic from 8.8% in 2018–19 to 7.2% in 2020–21. The rate then increased to 9.7% in 2021–22, but declined in the following two years, to 8.2% in 2023–24.38 There is substantial variation in performance across the Department’s seven jobcentre regions and 37 districts. At regional level, in the 12 months from December 2023 to November 2024, Southern England had the highest average monthly proportion of Universal Credit claimants moving into work (8.7%) while London and Essex had the lowest proportion (7.3%). At district level, Birmingham and Solihull had the lowest average monthly into-work rate at 5.5% and Northern Scotland had the highest at 10.8%.39
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and commits to developing a labour market publication strategy before the end of 2025, which will include publishing into-work rates and some labour market data at a Jobcentre Plus District level to enhance transparency.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: before the end of 2025 3.2 Building upon the Get Britain Working White Paper Analytical Annex, which published a range of analysis on Universal Credit, Jobcentres and the labour market for the first time, the department is developing a labour market publication strategy to bring additional transparency to the data it holds. The department expects this will include publishing into-work rates and some labour market data at a Jobcentre Plus District level. The publication date will be formally announced in due course, as the department progresses the steps needed to add this publication to the DWP Statistical Work Programme. 3.3 This publication is not expected to include data on Work Coach numbers. While the department does hold that data, it is not assured to official statistics quality standards.
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Inquiry
Jobcentres
Report
36th Report - Jobcentres
02 Jul 2025
HC 823
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
1.1 yr
Report published
02 Jul 2025