Pathways to Work from Incapacity Benefits: A study of experience and use of Return to Work Credit

The Pathways to Work/Incapacity Benefit Reforms pilot was introduced in October 2003 and aims to increase the number of incapacity benefit recipients who move towards and into paid work. The reforms comprise a package of measures, initially introduced in seven Jobcentre Plus districts in England, Scotland and Wales. A further 14 districts are being phased into the pilot from October 2005. This report presents findings from a focused study of Return to Work Credit (RTWC) and is based on qualitative research conducted by the Social Policy Research Unit, the National Centre for Social Research and the Policy Studies Institute in 2005/06. This study is one of several being undertaken to inform the overall evaluation of the Pathways to Work pilots.