Is the UK's current approach effective in helping people back into work? Or could it be that the focus on “work first” actually gets in the way of achieving a “higher pay, lower welfare” economy? To answer these questions, we need to explore in more detail the focus on moving people into any job, the role of sanctions and low benefit levels and the employment support offered to people looking for work.

Universal Credit is now the primary vehicle for active labour market policy (ALMP) in the UK. It is both an in- and out-of-work benefit – underpinned by conditionality alongside financial sanctions if behavioural expectations are not met, but also employment support from Jobcentres and other employment support providers. Universal Credit extends and intensifies the conditionality for out-of-work social security claimants that has increasingly featured in UK active labour market policy over the past few decades. People claiming out-of-work benefits and subject to conditionality must meet UK government prescribed requirements including: attending appointments at the job centre, completing online jobseeker journals, providing evidence that they are actively seeking work (typically looking for work 35 hours per week), or participating in training or welfare-towork programmes (e.g. the Work Programme).

Failure to meet the conditions attached to their benefit may result in a “benefit sanction” – meaning that a person's benefits are reduced or suspended. In an unprecedented move, and because Universal Credit is also an in-work benefit (see Chapter 2) conditionality may also be applied to working claimants – so people who are working may now face new expectations to increase their hours or pay in exchange for additional income through Universal Credit. In the UK, Jobcentre Plus – the Public Employment Service – and within them work coaches, are the first port of call for those seeking work. However, contracted providers increasingly feature – as non-state organizations deliver various welfare-to-work programmes (e.g. the Work Programme, Work and Health Programme and most recently Restart).

ANY JOB IS BETTER THAN NO JOB: IS WORK FIRST A PRODUCTIVE APPROACH?

Now considered an archetypal work first regime, the UK's approach focuses on moving jobseekers into work quickly. As we showed in the previous chapter, over time, the UK's approach has become increasingly directive, requiring jobseekers to accept any job offer. Those claiming out-of-work benefits must sign a Claimant Commitment, which outlines their responsibilities in relation to finding paid work.