Research and analysis

Universal Credit: in-work progression randomised controlled trial

These documents present the findings from the evaluation of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in-work progression trial.

• From: Department for Work and Pensions
• Published: 12 September 2018
• Last updated: 11 October 2019 — See all updates

Documents

Summary: Universal Credit: in-work progression randomised controlled trial

PDF, 189 KB, 10 pages

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Universal Credit: in-work progression randomised controlled trial: findings from quantitative survey and qualitative research

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-0789-6, RR966

PDF, 3.23 MB, 233 pages

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Universal Credit: in-work progression randomised controlled trial: impact assessment

Ref: ISBN: 978-1-5286-0789-6, RR966

PDF, 2 MB, 69 pages

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In-work progression trial: further impact assessment and cost benefit analysis

Ref: ISBN: 978-1-78659-163-0, Ad hoc research report no. 75

PDF, 338 KB, 28 pages

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Details

DWP’s in-work progression randomised controlled trial ran between April 2015 and March 2018. The trial tested the effectiveness of differing intensities of support and conditionality provided to current Universal Credit claimants in low-paid work or low-income households. In total 30,709 claimants passed through the trial and were available for analysis.

The trial had 3 treatment groups:

• frequent support claimants, who met with their work coach fortnightly to get support and review agreed actions
• moderate support claimants, who met with their work coach every 8 weeks to get support and review agreed actions
• minimal support claimants, who had an initial telephone appointment and a follow-up telephone call 8 weeks after starting the trial

The evaluation aims to understand the effect of the trial in supporting Universal Credit claimants to increase their earnings and progress in work. It consists of 4 reports:

• an independently conducted evaluation by Ipsos MORI, which includes:
  • an analysis, based on 2 waves of longitudinal quantitative and qualitative research, of the effect of the trial in terms of earnings, and a wider range of intermediate outcomes including changing behaviours and attitudes, and take up of training
  • findings from qualitative research with employers, conducted by Ipsos MORI, to understand the employer perspective on progression
• an impact assessment conducted by DWP analysts using HM Revenue and Customs and DWP administrative data – this report focuses on the earnings impact of the trial across the 30,709 trial participants
• a summary report bringing together the findings from the impact assessment and independent evaluation
• a further impact assessment and cost benefit analysis

Authors

Universal Credit: in-work progression randomised controlled trial – findings from quantitative survey and qualitative research

Joanna Crossfield, Trinh Tu, Yasmin White, Lucy Joyce and Amanda Langdon.

Universal Credit: in-work progression randomised controlled trial – impact assessment

Angelo Valerio, Fergal O’Kane and Amanda Langdon.

Universal Credit: in-work progression randomised controlled trial – summary findings

Joanna Crossfield, Trinh Tu, Yasmin White, Amanda Langdon and Peter Harrison-Evans.

In-work progression trial: further impact assessment and cost benefit analysis

Angelo Valerio and Edward Martyn.

Published 12 September 2018
Last updated 11 October 2019 + show all updates

1. 11 October 2019

   Added 'In-work progression trial: further impact assessment and cost benefit analysis'.

2. 12 September 2018

   First published.