This report presents quantitative and qualitative research findings from an evaluation of the Jobseekers Regime, Phase 1 of which was introduced in April 2009 in 28 Jobcentre Plus districts in England, Scotland and Wales. The research involved three longitudinal quantitative surveys. Customers were interviewed previously about their experiences of Jobcentre Plus support between weeks 0–13, 13–26 and 26–52 of their Jobseeker’s Allowance claim. The longitudinal surveys discussed in this report were conducted a year later to explore experiences and longer-term destinations for customers undergoing the Jobseekers Regime in Phase 1 areas and the former Jobseeker’s Allowance regime in Phase 2 areas. Comparisons between the two phases provide an indication of the Jobseekers Regime in contrast to its predecessor but they do not constitute an impact assessment. The research also included a small number of qualitative interviews with customers about their experiences of Stage 3 of the Jobseekers Regime, as delivered in summer-autumn 2010. These additional interviews were conducted in November/December 2010 and were designed to provide an update to previous qualitative research conducted between December 2009 and March 2010, reflecting Stage 3 as it was experienced in 2009 (see DWP Research Report 706, Jobseekers Regime and Flexible New Deal Evaluation: A report on qualitative research findings). |