The Work Programme

What is the Work Programme?

In June 2010, the Government announced a radical reform of the way welfare to work services would be delivered in the future. The Work Programme consolidates and replaces many of the existing programmes delivered by providers such as A4e.

The main changes in approach are:

• introducing larger and longer term contracts for providers;
• a single programme for customers with earlier access for some people after 6 months of unemployment and inclusion of young people;
• a move to differential pricing with more money for the harder to help; and
• payment for outcomes using the savings from the revised approach to benefit payments to fund long term sustainable jobs (1, 2 and 3 years).

A4e are now preferred suppliers for Work Programme Prime Contractors in the following areas:

• South East (CPA9)
• London (CPA4)
• East Midlands (CPA2)
• North West (CPA6)
• Yorkshire & Humber (CPA17)

We also deliver the Work Programme as a subcontractor in parts of Scotland, the North East, Surrey Sussex and Kent, Wales and West Yorkshire.

The size and scale of the Work Programme contracts means that A4e’s approach of working with a broad range of partners from the public, private and third sector organisations will be more important than ever. Find out more information about our approach to Partnerships for the Work Programme.

Contact the Department of Work and Pensions if you want to find out more about the work programme.