1. Employment Service Service Delivery 15 March 2016

2. JSA liveloads

3. JSA liveloads vs. ESA claimants

4. ESA Transformation Group Main Purpose The purpose of the Steering Group is to support the delivery of a programme of Transformation. The various initiatives include implementation of the Litchfield review and consideration/decision making in relation to the DWP transformation programme. Main Duties and Responsibilities The Steering Group is responsible for agreeing the way forward and developing strands relating to the various aspects of ESA delivery, both operational and supporting. Steering Group will:  Consider and develop ideas and good practice  Drive progress on the various strands  Report on progress  Raise matters of concern.

5. Context – ESA claimants  In February 2015, approximately one person in ten of the Northern Ireland working age population was claiming ESA, an increase on projected figures and the previous Incapacity Benefit live load.  The majority of claims are allocated to the Support Group following the Work Capability Assessment (WCA); at February 2015, 86% of successful claims were allocated to this group, with only 13% moving into the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG.  The most prevalent primary condition for claimants is mental ill- health/psychiatric disorder (45.9%). Musculoskeletal diseases are the next most prevalent condition (15.7%), followed by neurological disorders (11.9%). In total 73.5% of the ESA caseload is made up of these three primary conditions.

6. Context – ESA claimants (continued)  The proportion of claimants on the benefit for two years or more is increasing. At February 2015, 37% of claimants were claiming ESA for two years or more, an increase of 17% from the previous year.  Based on current trends, ESA is becoming an increasingly inactive benefit similar to Incapacity Benefit which it replaced.

8. Provision Providers  DEL / ES programmes  European Social Fund  Social Inclusion Fund  Neighbourhood Renewal