Guidance

December 2017: Touchbase edition 123

Updated 9 March 2020

1. Welcome

This month the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced changes to Universal Credit in the Autumn Budget, details of which can be found in this edition. With the Christmas holidays approaching, we also provide details on opening times for Jobcentre Plus offices and payment arrangements for customers.

This edition also includes information on:

• the launch of the Work and Health Programme
• the Labour Market Programme
• See Potential
• the Child Maintenance Service self-service website
• the ‘Thriving at work’ review
• Volunteer It Yourself

We always welcome your feedback. Please send your comments and thoughts about Touchbase, including what articles and information you would like to see, to [email protected].

2. Universal Credit changes

Changes to Universal Credit were announced in the Autumn Budget on 22 November 2017.

The changes include a £1.5 billion package to address concerns about the delivery of the benefit.

Read about the full changes to Universal Credit or read a summary of the main changes.

3. One million more disabled people in work by 2027

Ambitious plans to get one million more disabled people in work over the next 10 years have been set out by ministers.

Improving lives: the future of work, health and disability sets out how the government will work with employers, charities, healthcare providers and local authorities to break down employment barriers for disabled people and people with health conditions over the next 10 years. This will be delivered through:

• in-work programmes
• personalised financial and employment support
• specialist healthcare services

4. Launch of the Work and Health Programme

The Work and Health Programme was launched in North West England on 27 November 2017 and in Wales on 1 December 2017.

The programme aims to help participants move closer to, and into, sustainable work.

Providers covering the rest of England, including London and Greater Manchester which have devolved responsibility for the Work and Health Programme and will deliver localised versions, will begin delivery in early 2018.

5. Jobcentre Plus arrangements over the festive period

Jobcentre Plus opening hours are different over Christmas and New Year.

To make sure customers receive their payments on a day when Jobcentre Plus offices are open, arrangements have been made to make some payments early.

6. Labour Market Programme – Local Supported Employment

As part of the Personal Support Package for people with disabilities or health conditions, DWP is working with 9 local authorities to deliver Local Supported Employment through a place and train approach.

The 9 local authorities are:

• Brighton and Hove City Council
• Cheshire West and Chester Council
• City of York Council
• Croydon Council
• Hertfordshire County Council
• Kent County Council
• Shropshire Council
• Stockport Council
• Telford and Wrekin Council

The initiative was launched at the end of November 2017 and will run until the end of May 2019.

7. Employers encouraged to See Potential

See Potential encourages employers to recognise the benefits of recruiting people from all kinds of backgrounds, including:

• ex-offenders
• care leavers
• homeless people
• some military veterans

The campaign is backed by more than 100 companies, including Marks & Spencer, Marriott Hotels and Greggs. Research by Business in the Community showed 9 out of 10 employers that are more inclusive reported:

• improved staff morale and skills levels
• enhanced reputation and brand value with customers
• winning new contracts and entering new markets

8. Child Maintenance Service self-service website

The Child Maintenance Service offers a self-service website for employers and clients. It’s a quick and easy way to access and share information about a child maintenance case.

Employers can:

• view and make payments
• complete, upload and amend payment schedules
• update company details
• view and send messages

Clients can:

• view statements and make payments
• upload a document
• update personal details
• view letters and send messages

View ‘How to…’ videos on how to use the self-service website.

9. Thriving at work

Thriving at work: the Stevenson/Farmer review of mental health and employers was published in October 2017. The review looked at how employers can better support all employees, including those with poor mental health, to remain in and thrive at work.

The review found that:

• 300,000 people with a long-term mental health problem lose their jobs each year
• poor mental health costs employers up to £42 billion a year, with an annual cost to the UK economy of up to £99 billion
• all employers should adopt 6 mental health core standards that lay the basic foundations for an approach to workplace mental health

We encourage you to take the time to look at the review and consider how you can adopt the recommendations to support your employees’ mental health.

10. Get your State Pension service

DWP is continuing to roll out the Get your State Pension service, a new and simpler way to claim State Pension which will replace the State Pension online service.

Increasing numbers of citizens approaching their State Pension age will receive letters inviting them to use the new Get your State Pension service instead of the current State Pension online service. These letters will include a personalised invitation code and explain what to do next. From February 2018, all citizens approaching their State Pension age will receive letters which will include information about the new service – we will provide an update in a future edition of Touchbase.

11. Volunteer It Yourself – help to build a new career

DWP works in partnership with Volunteer It Yourself (VIY).

VIY combines volunteering and DIY by challenging young people aged 16-24 to learn trade and building skills by voluntarily committing to fix local community buildings in need of essential repairs.

Supported by Wickes, VIY participants are mentored by professional tradespeople, who also volunteer their time. Participants gain vocational accreditations as well as access to further training, work placements and apprenticeship opportunities with local employers.

VIY undertakes projects across the UK and has helped thousands of young people to build careers.

Young people and professional tradespeople keen to get involved can find out more by emailing [email protected] and indicating the town where they live.

12. News round-up

Government publishes ambitious plans to give millions a more financially secure retirement

Ministers take action to bolster PIP services

Child maintenance consultation launched

Unemployment remains at four-decade low

Pensions Dashboard Development Day

75th Anniversary of the Beveridge Report

Government and FCA crack down on older pension scheme charges

Master trust pension schemes consultation

Update on the future of DWP jobcentres

Number of workless households falls by 49,000 in a year