The government should develop a clearly articulated long-term vision for the role of contributory benefits for people of working age who are not in paid work. This is the overarching recommendation of a new report produced, and published today (24 October 2022), by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) under its statutory remit to provide independent advice.

New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance and New Style Employment and Support Allowance – the two contributory benefits that can be received by out-of-work individuals regardless of their financial assets or partners earnings – have been a neglected area of policy over the last decade as the Department for Work and Pensions’ focus has been the nationwide roll out of Universal Credit. This continues a decades-long trend of successive governments allowing working-age contributory benefits to diminish in importance as the role of other working age benefits has increased, for example with the expansion of means-tested support for families with children, renters, and in-work support.

The study found many aspects of these benefits do work well. But it also identified a number of areas where, too often, the system does not, leading to a poor service for those qualifying for contributory benefits. This stems from a lack of attention to, and a lack of investment in, these benefits. With Universal Credit now operating nationwide, the Committee urges the government to develop a long-term vision for these benefits.

Dr Stephen Brien, SSAC Chair:

While the decision about the role of the contributory principle is one for the government, it is appropriate that Ministers clearly articulate the role that they want this historically important component of working-age social security to play in the 21st century. Such reforms can take time and may not be the most immediate development priorities. However, we would welcome commitment to make early discrete operational changes, with a clear statement of longer-term intent to provide claimants and wider stakeholders with a clear direction of travel.

The Committee sets out a range of options for achieving greater alignment, from operational-level change that would deliver access to Universal Credit style technology and unifying work coaches for those on dual claims, through to delivery on the same IT platform and full integration of working-age benefits.

While the full integration of contributory working age benefits within Universal Credit would not be achievable in the short-term having this as a long-run goal would set a clear direction of travel. Having part of Universal Credit available to those deemed to have paid into the system without being subject to a means-test against, for example, their financial assets or partners earnings would have a number of advantages. It would boost take-up and would eliminate many of the problems our study has identified that stem from separate systems struggling to work well with each other. Reforms and operational changes could be made gradually over time in order to deliver improvements to how the system works for claimants and how it is administered that brings us closer to the ultimate destination of integration.

Read the SSAC Occasional Paper 26: The future of working age contributory benefits for those not in paid work.

1. SSAC is an independent advisory body of the Department for Work and Pensions. Its statutory remit is to:

• to provide advice and assistance to the Secretary of State, whether in response to a specific request or on its own initiative
• to scrutinise secondary legislation relating to social security for the benefit of the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions or the Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland, and Parliament

2. The Committee Membership comprises: Dr Stephen Brien (Chair), Bruce Calderwood, Carl Emmerson, Kayley Hignell, Philip Jones, Grainne McKeever, Seyi Obakin, Charlotte Pickles and Liz Sayce.

3. Further enquiries should be directed to Denise Whitehead, Committee Secretary, phone: 0300 046 0323.

Ofsted has today published an interim report evaluating the quality of the new T-level courses. It finds that providers are working hard to ensure that T-level courses equip learners with the knowledge, skills and experiences needed for future study or employment. However, the first providers to offer these new qualifications have faced some challenges.

The review also finds that the T Level Transition Programme (TLTP) is not always resulting in learners progressing to a T level as intended.

The interim report was commissioned by the Department for Education and is the first stage in a two-year evaluation of T-level courses. It draws on evidence from visits to 24 providers, 10 of which also offered the transition programme, between December 2021 and April 2022.

Overall, Ofsted found that learners were appreciative of the quality of teaching on their T-level course. However, not all learners felt prepared for how much work they had to do. Effective industry placements gave learners broad, high-quality and appropriate experiences that helped them to make informed decisions about their future career path. However, many learners experienced delays in going on placements.

Work experience is a fundamental component of the transition programme that gives learners the opportunity to gain the skills needed to progress to a T-level course.

In some cases, providers failed to help learners secure meaningful work experience relevant to their course, which resulted in learners sourcing their placements independently.

The review also found that many teachers did not receive comprehensive training and some found teaching the new curriculum challenging. Providers did not always have access to the resources they needed from awarding bodies in good time.

The recruitment and retention of staff with sufficient knowledge and experience were also a challenge, due to sector shortages and the effects of the pandemic. The more effective T-level curriculums involved frequent collaboration between education providers and employers.

Inspectors found that, although teaching on the transition programme was generally of a high standard, most learners appeared unlikely to progress on to a T-level course on completion.

Ofsted’s interim report recommends that all T-level and T Level Transition Programme providers:

• provide initial advice to learners before they start a T-level course to help them decide which pathway to follow
• collaborate with employers to make sure the design and delivery of the curriculum is of a high quality
• make sure that the curriculum sequences the different components of a T level in a coherent way that develops learners’ knowledge and skills
• reduce delays to learners work placements
• ensure that learners in the transition programme get relevant work experience
• monitor learners’ achievements and progress and the impact of work placements on their knowledge and skills

Ofsted also recommends that employers provide placements that give learners experiences relevant to their T level.

The Department for Education should evaluate the effectiveness of the transition programme in helping learners progress to T-level courses, and work with universities to make sure they accept T levels for entry to relevant courses.

In addition to this, awarding bodies should make sure that teachers and learners have the resources they need, in good time.

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, said:

It’s clear that T-level courses are giving learners career-building pathways. The right balance of theory and practical elements helps learners gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to enter the workforce. However, we have also identified a number of concerns that need to be addressed.

I am looking forward to seeing the progress providers have made at our next visits in 2023, and to see the additional courses added into the scheme in the next few years.

A full report will be published in 2023. Providers visited for this interim report will be visited again next year, along with others, to see how T-level courses and the T Level Transition Programme have developed.

With 100 days to go until the deadline for online returns, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding Self Assessment customers that the countdown to complete their tax return has begun.

Self Assessment customers have until 31 January 2023 to submit their online return for the 2021 to 2022 tax year.

More than 66,000 taxpayers beat the clock and filed their tax return on 6 April – the first day of the new tax year. HMRC is encouraging others to complete their return as soon as they can, so they know what they owe and can budget to make the payment by 31 January 2023. This also means that if a repayment is due it can be claimed back sooner.

Completing a tax return using HMRC’s online filing service is simple and convenient. Last year, more than 95% of customers filed online with many choosing to start it, save their progress and go back to it as many times as they need before it’s ready to submit. Those who submit their returns early still have until 31 January 2023 to pay.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

With 100 days to go until the online deadline, there’s still time to complete your tax return, to budget and look into the range of payment options if you need to.

Help and support is available online to help customers with their tax returns. Just search ‘Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK to find out more and get started today.

Filing early also means they will have plenty of time to access the number of payment options available including:

• paying via the free and secure HMRC App
• setting up an online monthly payment plan (self-serve Time to Pay)
• paying through PAYE tax code (subject to eligibility)
• payment on account

Those who are unable to pay their tax bill in full can access the support and advice that’s available on GOV.UK. HMRC may be able to help by arranging an affordable payment plan.

HMRC has updated its Self Assessment guide to help customers complete their tax return. The guide contains helpful information including:

• what help and support is available when completing their Self Assessment
• what documents they need before they start
• what earnings they need to declare including funds received through COVID support schemes
• help with paying their tax bill and what to do if they have overpaid and are due a refund

All Self Assessment customers need to be aware of the risk of scams and HMRC is reminding them never to share their login details. Someone using them could steal from the customer or make a fraudulent claim in their name. Check HMRC’s advice about scams on GOV.UK.

Anyone can check if they need to complete a tax return by using the free online tool on GOV.UK. Those new to Self Assessment for the 2021 to 2022 tax year may include:

• those who are newly self-employed and earned more than £1,000
• a new partner in a business partnership
• those who have received any untaxed income
• those claiming Child Benefit but they or their partner have an income above £50,000

Self-employed workers must also register for Class 2 National Insurance contributions.

The deadline for paper tax returns is 31 October 2022. If customers miss the deadline for paper returns, they still have until 31 January 2023 to file online.

Find out more about how to declare taxable COVID-19 support in your tax return if you are self-employed, in a partnership or run a business.

The National Cyber Security Centre has a helpful guide on how to stay secure online and protect yourself or your business against cyber-crime. To find this, go to www.cyberaware.gov.uk.

Payment can be made through HMRC App. To download the free HMRC App, customers can visit the App Store from their iPhone or Google Play for Android and follow the download and set up instructions from there.

Help and support is available on GOV.UK for customers completing their Self Assessment tax returns. There is also a series of videos to help customers with their tax returns on YouTube.

If you think you are no longer required to complete a Self Assessment return, you can Check if you need to send a Self Assessment tax return.