Department for Work and Pensions (UK)

Research Problem

What is claimants’ experience of the welfare disputes process (Mandatory Reconsiderations and Appeals) and how does it affect them?

Research Problem

What sort of interventions are required to address barriers to employment, to reduce inactivity and support in-work progression?

Research Problem

What are the different ways to define and measure labour market progression and sustainable work? How does this vary by life stage and group? What are the implications for targeted policy measures in terms of health, employment and wellbeing outcomes?

Research Problem

What are the causes/drivers of the ethnic minority employment gap? What are the barriers to entry and progression in the labour market for ethnic minorities?

Research Problem

How might employers optimise job design and hybrid and flexible working arrangements to manage risks, accommodate employee care needs and build soft skills and team working to maintain attachment to the labour market?

Research Problem

What types and combinations of support, incentives and conditionality are most effective at enabling and encouraging people in work and in receipt of Universal Credit to increase their hours and earnings to progress in work?

Research Problem

How effective has government’s cost of living support been?

Research Problem

How can the benefit system best help low income and vulnerable households with their housing costs? What is the impact of DWP’s expenditure on housing support? What factors impact on evictions, homelessness and rough sleeping? How effective are policies designed to reduce homelessness?

Research Problem

How can DWP and its partners maximise sustainable compliance with child maintenance arrangements?

Research Problem

How does the most appropriate support (financial and non-financial) vary by groups? Including younger and older people, those from different minority ethnic groups, refugees, ex-service personnel, women, parents, victims of domestic abuse and those with complex needs, mental health conditions or homelessness?

Research Problem

What are the distributions and drivers of psychosocial and cultural factors that affect employment and health outcomes (for example, illness perceptions, health beliefs, workplace cultures)?

Research Problem

What new and better arrangements could be made to deliver effective health and employment support? What is the evidence base for effective joint working arrangements involving support delivered through, and beyond, the benefit system in partnerships involving DWP, the NHS, local authorities, the voluntary sector and other organisations?

Research Problem

In what ways have homeworking, hybrid and flexible working arrangements helped or hindered employment for key groups, for example older workers, parents, disabled people, people living in remote areas?

Research Problem

How can DWP enhance its understanding of the most appropriate measures of independent living?

Research Problem

How could machine learning and predictive analytics be used robustly and ethically to create claimant personas/segments for disability benefits?

Research Problem

What factors drive consumer engagement in private and workplace pensions? To what extent does engagement lead to positive outcomes or desired behavioural responses?

Research Problem

What factors help the self-employed to save for retirement?

Research Problem

How can DWP best contribute to net zero by driving reductions in emissions through work and pensions policies, estates and operations?