Evaluation of the New Deal for diasbled people: the cost and cost-benefit analyses

The New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP) is the major Government employment programme available to people claiming incapacity benefits. As such, it plays an important role in the Government’s welfare to work strategy. The programme is delivered locally by Job Brokers, which are a mixture of voluntary, public and private sector organisations. Although Job Brokers vary enormously in size and in how they operate, most help clients with their job search, engage in job development, and attempt to increase clients’ confidence in their ability to work. Many also attempt to develop clients’ work-related skills and monitor clients’ progress in jobs after they are placed, sometimes intervening when the client encounters problems on the job. Job Brokers receive a payment from the Department for each client they register, for each client they place in a job, and for each placed client who continues to work for at least six months.