There is a term used at the Department for Work and Pensions: Permafrost. This description refers to the majority of the expenditure on working-age benefits, which goes to individuals who work, but cannot afford to live to a normal standard and are in receipt of housing benefit, working tax credit or child/ other benefits. Others are long term unemployed: some of whom are born into intergenerational unemployment, for example the children and grandchildren of miners who never saw the regeneration of their northern towns; some are single mothers, unable to afford childcare in order to work. The majority are in receipt of PIP, personal independence payment. What we know is that the longer you are out of work, the higher the chances of you becoming ‘permafrost’.

 

Two of the most interesting projects I’ve worked on were on unemployment service behaviour change in the DWP.

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Relevant experience: 

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UCL Division of Biosciences (2020-21)   

Semi structured interviews with people experiencing financial difficulty - physical impact of the pandemic on vulnerable populations. 

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Lambeth Council: Participle (2013-14)   

Organisational Behaviour Change: Measuring the development of soft skills in long term unemployed. 

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Lambeth Council & Forest Hill Jobcentre: Participle (2012- 2013)   

Organisational Behaviour Change: Changing the way jobcentre workers interact with jobseekers, thus building their soft skills and 'employability' (BACKR)