DWP Sits down

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) haspublished its list of Preferred Bidders for its Work Programme, and just two of the 40 contracts have been awarded to a software and IT supplier (SITS).

The introduction of the Work Programme, described by the DWP as "a step change for Welfare to Work" was confirmed in the Comprehensive Spending Review in October last year, and aims to replace "much of the confusing array of existing programmes for unemployed people".

The sole SITS to make the list of 16 suppliers was Serco, named as the prime contractor in two areas of the UK, the West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber. The company currently holds contracts in three areas, including the West Midlands, under the current employment programme, Flexible New Deal.

In the framework agreement for the contract, the DWP states that while there is no guarantee of work, "the indicative overall value of contracts to be let through this framework agreement is likely to be between £0.3 billion - £3 billion per year". It adds the overall value of the contract "may be dependent on the financial savings realised as a direct result of enabling people to obtain sustainable employment". 

Prime contractors of the Work Programme will sign contracts of up to four years, with the expectation many will be long term, and could last up to seven years "if justified".

"We are pleased to be helping deliver Britain's biggest employment programme.  By integrating the technical expertise of small back-to-work providers, and matching them to the needs of individuals, we have already had a high success rate in helping thousands of people to find jobs," said Christopher Hyman, Chief Executive of Serco Group.

"Our approach ensures that the voluntary and community sectors can participate fully in the Welfare to Work market.  And we see further opportunities to apply our partnering approach to other areas, as we help our customers in the UK and across the world tackle their financial and operational challenges."

The government aims to have the Work Programme in place across the country from this summer.