Kevin Rowan column

Jun 13 2005 By Kevin Rowan, The Journal

One of the key benefits of decentralising policy delivery to the regional level is greater cohesion in that delivery.

There is evidence that the regional development agency idea is working, and the last White Paper on skills would indicate that the Government's enthusiasm for Regional Skills Partnerships is increasing, rather than becoming less favourable.

There are still cases, however, where it would appear the dynamics of governance in the UK mitigate against effective public policy delivery. In this case, it is the operation of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Most people recognise the need to more effectively tackle the "worklessness" challenge. In the North-East, we have a higher percentage of people falling into this category than any other part of the country, a challenge all parties are keen to address.

There are already many good initiatives, the pathways to work pilots being one, and another range of innovative projects under the Northern Way growth plan kick in this year.

At the same time, however, DWP is faced with the challenge of cutting its costs as a result of the Gershon recommendations, in which the Civil Service must reduce its costs year on year. And here is the antithesis to joined-up government.

Front line services provided by the Jobcentre Plus offices of DWP, including Medical Assessment Centres for people claiming incapacity benefit (IB), are vital to tackling worklessness. Closure of these centres is threatened by DWP cuts, meaning that people requiring a medical assessment for work will have to travel further to get it.

People on IB have been receiving personal support to enable them to identify what help they need, an initiative that seems very successful. Now those individuals will not only be less likely to turn up for the assessment, they will also be further from the help and support.

As a result, there may be more people who would normally qualify for IB not able to access it, because they have been unable to attend a medical assessment.

This may help the Government reduce the number of IB claimants, but it will also reduce the number of people with incapacity who are receiving the support and assistance that has been so valuable in enabling them to rejoin the labour market.

Tackling worklessness is a difficult and crucial challenge for us in this region. Ensuring that all of the public resources are lined up in the same direction would be a helpful contribution to meeting that challenge.