Jobseeker’s Allowance (Jobseeker Mandatory Activity) Pilot Regulations 2007

rose to move, That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Jobseeker’s Allowance (Jobseeker Mandatory Activity) Pilot Regulations 2007. The noble Lord said: I beg to move that the draft Jobseeker’s Allowance (Jobseeker Mandatory Activity) Pilot Regulations 2007 that were laid before the House on 26 February 2007 be approved. I thank noble Lords for the opportunity to introduce the debate on the draft regulations. They use the powers contained in Section 29 of the Jobseekers Act 1995 that permit us to make regulations to pilot changes, but limit the duration of such regulations to 12 months. At the end of this period, if appropriate, the regulations may be replaced by similar provisions for a further 12 months. My noble friend Lord Hunt introduced the pilot scheme on 13 December 2005 through the Jobseeker’s Allowance (Jobseeker Mandatory Activity) Pilot Regulations 2005. As my noble friend said at the time, given that this was a two-year pilot commencing in April 2006, it would be necessary to introduce further regulations to enable the pilot to be completed. The regulations before noble Lords today will enable the pilot to continue as planned for a further 12-month period. A full evaluation of the pilot is already underway and the completed evaluation will provide a clear view on the value of early interventions with jobseekers and will be used to inform future policy development. Initial evaluation evidence suggests that jobseekers have most valued the practical support provided to them in the three-day courses. This has included help with CV writing, help preparing for interviews, and help with letter writing. Many jobseekers have indicated that the action planning process has helped to increase their confidence and has improved their motivation to find work. It would be premature to terminate the pilot after just under 12 months in operation. The need for the pilot continues because the evaluation, although underway, is incomplete. It is important that the pilot is allowed to continue for a further 12 months as planned in order that the evaluation—both qualitative and quantitative—can be completed. Only then can we make reasoned judgments about the success or otherwise of the pilot. The regulations will apply in the same geographical areas where the current pilot scheme operates. They will permit the same programme of assistance that is currently available. I am satisfied that the regulations are compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. This pilot is part of the Government’s clear strategy to help jobseekers move from relying on benefits back into work. We know that the majority of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance terminate their claim within the first six months of claiming benefit. Our New Deal programmes for those aged over 25 already provide valuable assistance to jobseekers who remain out of work for more than 18 months. This pilot looks at whether an earlier intervention after jobseekers have been out of work for just six months is beneficial, and whether this early intervention helps jobseekers return to employment at an earlier stage than otherwise might occur. Research suggests that the longer that unemployment continues the harder it is to enter employment. For many, the six-month point is when motivation and confidence begin to decline. After a jobseeker has been out of work for six months, the pilot provides for a three-day motivational course followed by three fortnightly follow-up personal adviser interviews. The three-day courses are delivered by private sector organisations under contract to the Department for Work and Pensions. Each course focuses on providing practical help for jobseekers and examines job aspirations, motivation, rights and responsibilities and job-search skills. Over the three days, jobseekers are helped to develop a personal action plan designed to focus their ongoing job-search commitment. Even after a short period away from employment, some jobseekers may be concerned about their ability to adjust to new working environments, new technology and new types of work. The three-day courses are designed to address such concerns and to provide opportunities for confidence building and self-motivation. The follow-up personal adviser interviews are conducted by experienced staff from Jobcentre Plus on Jobcentre Plus premises. The interviews help to ensure that the commitments detailed within the action plan are not overlooked, and are used to provide a clear focus on seeking employment. We are seeking through the pilot to determine the value of targeted and individual help, giving early direction, support and guidance to customers. It is important that all eligible jobseekers take the opportunity to improve their employability and avail themselves of the practical assistance available through the pilot. Therefore, the regulations make it mandatory for all eligible jobseekers to participate in the programme provided for them. A one-week sanction is applied for each failure to attend either the course or, indeed, any of the three follow-up interviews. A one-week sanction is considered appropriate to the short duration of the pilot programme rather than the longer sanctions for non-attendance on the New Deal programme. Appropriate safeguards exist to ensure that those who have good cause for failing to participate will not be sanctioned. We have made process changes to help ensure that any sanction decisions relating to the pilot are made quickly. The Social Security Advisory Committee has considered the draft regulations and advised that it does not wish to have the proposed regulations formally referred. In conclusion, the draft regulations form an important element of the Government’s back-to-work agenda. They enable the pilot to continue to its planned conclusion, and for the evaluation to be completed. I commend the regulations to noble Lords. I beg to move. Moved, That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Jobseeker’s Allowance (Jobseeker Mandatory Activity) Pilot Regulations 2007.—(Lord McKenzie of Luton.)