Project Leader: Richard Dorsett
Sponsor: Employment Service
Period: June 2000-June 2002
Collaborators: British Market Research Bureau
Background
Joint Claims for JSA ('Joint Claims') was introduced nationally in March 2001 with the aim of addressing the problem of workless households. Before its introduction, partners dependent on a JSA claimant were not required to have any contact with the labour market. Joint Claims changed this such that there is now no distinction between claimant and dependent partners for such couples; both have access to the same help that is available to all JSA claimants and have to fulfil the obligations required of JSA claimants. The intention is to encourage participation in the labour market in terms of both entering work and increasing hours worked. There are also other intermediate objectives, such as improving employability.
Study Design
The study is a quantitative evaluation of Joint Claims, seeking to determine whether it has achieved its labour market objectives. It is progressing through descriptive and econometric analysis of both survey and administrative data. The survey data are being obtained by British Market Research Bureau International through interviews with both partners in eligible couples both before and after the introduction of the legislation. A comparison sample of couples similar except for ineligibility on the grounds of age is also being carried out.
Publications
Bonjour, D., Dorsett, R. and Knight, G. (2001) Joint Claims for JSA – quantitative survey stage 1 – potential claimants, Employment Service Report ESR94