DWP warned of 'broken benefits system' amid major changes to 600 Jobcentres

A leading disability charity has warned that changes coming to Jobcentres could be 'seriously undermined' by lack of trust. Scope said that the benefit system is 'broken' amid news of the government's Get Britain Working White Paper.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced the shake-up in a bid to get more people into work. The benefits department confirmed plans to convert the UK's 600 Jobcentres from a " one-size-fits-all benefits administration service" into a national jobs, employment and careers service.

This aims to provide advice to help people get into work and progress in their careers. Further plans will be unveiled this week as part of the Get Britain Working White Paper. The announcement came after the DWP Secretary of State Liz Kendall said job centres were no longer “fit for purpose”.

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She told The Observer: "Employers are desperate to recruit. People are desperate to earn money and get on in their jobs. So we need big change. We need to see change in our Jobcentres from a one-size-fits-all benefit administration service to a genuine public employment service. It’s not fit for purpose and it has to change."

But Scope warns the lack of trust between disabled people and the DWP could "seriously undermine" the government's plans. They are urging the government to work with disabled people to improve employment support and the welfare system.

Louise Rubin, head of policy at disability equality charity Scope, said: "It’s good to see a positive vision for supporting disabled people into work. We know there are a million disabled people who want to work but are denied the opportunity. It must be easier for disabled people to get into work.

"Personalised and comprehensive employment support could be transformative for many disabled people. But the government must fund it well.

"However, the government must understand that the lack of trust between disabled people and the DWP could seriously undermine this plan. We know that disabled people fear being forced into unsuitable jobs, or losing benefits if they engage with employment services.

“The government must remove these risks, and work with disabled people to transform employment support and fix our broken benefits system.”

The new jobs and careers service will work more closely with local areas to better integrate work, health, and skills support, The Mirror reports. The DWP plans for the Jobcentre to be an "active partner" with local organisations and services which it hopes will help encourage people to look for work and training.

The reforms will also get young people to pursue education or employment. It comes as the number of 16 to 24-year-olds not in either category is at its highest level in a decade, The Mirror reports.

The department will begin testing new concepts and designs for its online services next year to determine how it can deliver tailored support. This is on top of the DWP's plans to give Jobcentre work coaches AI tools so they can find the right information for their customers faster.

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.