Latest DWP Report on What Health and Disability Customers Want from Work and Support

MW123
MW123 Scope Member Posts: 905 Championing
edited February 6 in Current affairs

See the link below for the DWP press release from this morning on their Interim Findings Report. I found it an interesting read, and in my opinion, it provides valuable insights into their thinking behind policy proposals. It sheds light on the department's priorities and the reasoning behind their decisions. While this is just one piece of the puzzle, it offers a useful perspective on their mindset.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67a38534039d059a1fe5ff0a/work-aspirations-and-support-needs-of-health-and-disability-customers.pdf

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Comments

  • judie
    judie Online Community Member Posts: 219 Empowering

    An interesting read. Most of it I feel we already know but it is good to see it written down and presented clearly to the people who are in charge of shaping the future of disability benefits

  • Nightcity
    Nightcity Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,216 Championing

    Seems to be surprisingly fair and logical

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 905 Championing

    @judie @Nightcity

    I posted this because I am confident that some journalists and news outlets may selectively report or sensationalise certain aspects of the report, upsetting many claimants unnecessarily. Reading it in full context provides a clearer understanding of what is actually happening.

    The report shows that the government is engaging with disabled and sick claimants, taking their views into account, and publishing interim findings. These findings reflect the views of claimants up until December 2024, making them current and relevant.

    There is no evidence in the interim report suggesting that anyone will be forced into employment. The report addresses a wide range of disabilities and is not solely focused on mental health conditions. It considers all disabilities in relation to the barriers disabled claimants face when it comes to work.

  • Nightcity
    Nightcity Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,216 Championing

    agreed, I am sure media will twist it to suit their wishes.

  • MyHappy256
    MyHappy256 Online Community Member Posts: 58 Contributor

    How did they survey this question and answer?

    "But crucially, customers wanted help from DWP to be personal, with genuine
    attempts to understand their unique needs and circumstances. They wanted
    to feel supported rather than coerced, monitored or blamed. They wanted to see
    more joined-up services so that they didn’t need to explain their health conditions
    repeatedly to different staff and agencies."

    They would have had to ask this question in a questionaire with the specific wording, or it is unlikely that all 3000+ people surveyed gave the same response?

  • carbow32
    carbow32 Online Community Member Posts: 206 Empowering

    they have just manipulated a whole bunch of people to get the answers they wanted.

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,310 Championing

    This report was produced by the Communities, Work and Income team at the National Centre for Social Research.

    The report shows the results of "a survey and in-depth interviews with health and disability benefit customers" - 61 qualitative interviews with claimants who were paid £40.

    Another small sample of meaningless research and 'news'.

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,310 Championing
    edited February 6

    However, we do need to see details of the hidden DWP reports which the Tories refused to publish and which Labour published soon after taking office.

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 905 Championing

    I personally believe the report should not be dismissed as "another small sample of meaningless research and news." It was published this morning by the DWP, who will likely utilise its findings in shaping future policy.

    The National Centre for Social Research is a respected and independent research organisation. The Communities, Work, and Income team, which produced this interim report for the DWP, specialises in research concerning employment, income, benefits, and community issues.

    The study itself is comprehensive and did not just involve 61 people. It included a broader survey of 3,401 disability benefit claimants. In addition, 61 in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted to provide richer, more detailed insights into claimant's experiences. It’s important to note that the £40 payment given to interview participants is standard practice for compensating their time. Furthermore, the selection of 61 participants for qualitative interviews represents a statistically robust sample size for this type of research.

    I thought some of our members might be interested in reading news that actually came from the government, rather than speculation from news outlets. The bottom line is that reports like this are likely to shape future government changes to benefits, they are not commissioned for trivial purposes, and some members may find the information beneficial.

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,310 Championing
    edited February 6

    we need to see details of the hidden DWP reports which the Tories refused to publish and which Labour published soon after taking office.

    (I can't do the links)

  • stressed76
    stressed76 Online Community Member Posts: 25 Connected

    Labour are also hiding reports if i read the Disability News Service article correctly

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,310 Championing

    The other claimants were paid £5 for taking part in the survey.

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,310 Championing

    Labour are also hiding reports if i read the Disability News Service article correctly

    Which article? I know Timms isn't too keen on scrutiny.

  • stressed76
    stressed76 Online Community Member Posts: 25 Connected

    This one

    https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/dwp-hides-updated-figures-on-life-threatening-errors-just-as-kendall-prepares-to-announce-cuts-and-reforms/

  • Nightcity
    Nightcity Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,216 Championing

    Labour have buried at least two lots of vital information or reports so far that I'm aware of that DNS have published articles about.

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 3,310 Championing

    So why aren't we looking at the reports which have been published?

    Most of the answers people are looking for are in those reports.

  • egister
    egister Posts: 617 Empowering

    Furthermore, the selection of 61 participants for qualitative interviews represents a statistically robust sample size for this type of research. … Is 61 survey participants considered sufficient? 2000 and no less. 61 is a stupid game.

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 905 Championing

    You have to keep in mind that this study is an expansion of the 2019 research, rather than a standalone piece. That said, there’s value in looking beyond just the numbers. By combining both quantitative and qualitative data, the study can still provide meaningful insights. After all, the DWP’s consideration of these findings could have far-reaching consequences for us all.

  • egister
    egister Posts: 617 Empowering

    I understood your point. However, from the point of view of the correctness of the results, it is necessary to conduct new studies based on high-quality samples. For example, the physical properties of some critical materials are continually refined as measurement techniques progress. But here I see a scam, there is not the slightest justification for small samples in studies at the expense of the government (taxes). I see the work of lazy students, sorry.

  • Andi66
    Andi66 Online Community Member Posts: 612 Pioneering

    Talk tv, thought I watch Ian Collins section about benefits costs. Why people aren't working focusing more on mental health. He said there are genuine people but a lot of people are basically ok but pulling a fast one. I watch it sometimes to see their approach. Kevin o Sullivan, Mike graham the worse. Peter Cardwell understand more and is my sympathetic