Pathways to Work: Findings from the final cohort in a qualitative longitudinal panel of incapacity benefits recipients
Research Report No. 398
by Anne Corden and Katharine Nice
The Pathways to Work Pilot was introduced in October 2003 and aims to increase the number of incapacity benefit recipients who move towards and into paid work. The package of measures which comprise the reforms was initially piloted in seven Jobcentre Plus districts, and extended to other areas in 2005 and 2006.
One component of the comprehensive evaluation of the Pilot is a longitudinal qualitative study of the views and experiences of three cohorts of incapacity benefits recipients. Since April 2004, a total of 105 incapacity benefits recipients from across the seven Pilot areas have taken part in interviews with researchers from the Social Policy Research Unit (SPRU), the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) and the Policy Studies Institute (PSI). Findings from the first and second cohorts have been published (Corden et al., 2005; Corden and Nice, 2006).
In the third cohort, which started in March 2005, were 28 incapacity benefit recipients recruited from Essex, Gateshead and South Tyneside, East Lancashire and Somerset. This report presents findings from this third and final cohort, and draws together the main conclusions from the overall panel.
The analysis explores people's attitudes towards working, their involvement in the series of work focused interviews, and their use of existing and new services available through the Pilot. Longitudinal analysis traces changes in people's experiences and views over time, and the impact of the Pilot on people's movements towards work is assessed. The report concludes by identifying issues to inform future policy development.
October 2006
ISBN 1 84712 110 1
