Information for employers
The Department for Work and Pensions was created in June 2001. Our aim is to deliver the Government's policy of promoting opportunity and independence for all.
We are working to sustain a higher proportion of people in work than ever before, while providing security for those who cannot work and giving a modern and efficient service to pensioners.
The Government believes that work is the best way of helping people out of poverty. We depend on employers for job opportunities to help people to improve their lives.
We are working to improve the Health, work and well-being of our working age population.
We already work closely with thousands of employers, for example filling their vacancies and providing information about pensions.
We provide our services for employers through:
- Jobcentre Plus
- The Pension Service
- Health and Safety Executive and the Health and Safety Commission
- Child Support Agency
- Disability and Carers Service
On this page...
- Backing Young Britain
- Work skills – proposals for the future of the welfare and skills system
- Pensions
- Ready to Work, Skilled for Work: Unlocking Britain’s talent
- Local Employment Partnerships: realising the untapped potential
- Better Regulation
- Disability Discrimination Act
- Jobcentre Plus
- New Deal
- Age Positive
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- Child Support Agency
- Disability and Carers Service
- Business Link
- European Social Fund
- Workplace Health Connect
- Authorised Officer powers and their limitations
Backing Young Britain
Backing Young Britain is bringing businesses and public and voluntary sectors together to ensure that the valuable skills and experience of our young people aren’t being wasted.
The enthusiasm and potential of young people will be vital as we start to move out of recession so we need to give them the chance to flourish. Contrary to stereotypes, many are keen to work and just need that first break. And if they get it, they’ll pour their ambition and motivation into your business.
Although times are tough, we can all play a part. We want to give young people leaving school or university a chance and harness the talent of the future for our organisations. This will help young people get into the jobs market, and benefit our businesses into the bargain.
- Find out more about how you can join those organisations already committed to Backing Young Britain (HMG website)
Work skills
Outlines what the Government is doing to help people take control of their skills needs, both for today and in the future and how we will support employers to get the skilled workforce they need
- Work skills – June 2008 (Links to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills website).
Ready to Work, Skilled for Work: Unlocking Britain’s talent
Sets out how government and business working together, can unlock Britain’s talent, ensure employers have access to the skills they need to prosper, and give millions of people the chance to realise their potential and change their lives.
More information about Ready to Work, Skilled for Work: Unlocking Britain’s talent.
Pensions
Pensions reform – security in retirement
The Government is undertaking a landmark reform of the UK pensions system designed to deliver increased financial security for an ageing population. Measures in the Pensions Act 2007 will make the state system more generous, fairer to women and carers, and more widely available. Measures in the Pensions Act 2008 include a duty on employers to automatically enrol all eligible workers into a good quality workplace pension scheme or a new savings vehicle currently known as the personal account scheme. The Act will also place a duty on employers to provide a minimum contribution to their workers pension scheme.
Consultation of pension scheme members – guidance for employers
DWP has provided guidance for employers on consulting with prospective and active pension scheme members or their representatives before making significant changes to future pension arrangements.
The Pension schemes
Advising employers on the law about their pension responsibilities. Business Link offers advice and support to current and future pensioners on the range of pension provision available.
- Pension schemes (Business Link)
The Pensions Regulator
The Pensions Regulator has powers to regulate work based pension schemes. It also provides employers with advice and guidance on how to carry out their role in the administration of their pension scheme, or if problems arise. The Pensions Regulator will be reponsible for ensuring employer compliance with the new requirements for work-based pension provision brought in by the Pensions Act 2008.
Local Employment Partnerships: realising the untapped potential
Employers across the country are signing up to work in partnership with Government to open up opportunities for people who have not yet been able to take advantage of the employment options that are out there.
Read more about Local Employment Partnerships and how they could benefit your business on the Jobcentre Plus website.
- Local Employment Partnerships (links to the Jobcentre Plus website)
- Partneriaethau Cyflogaeth Lleol (links to the Welsh Jobcentre Plus website)
Jobcentre Plus is working with business and partners across the country to give people the skills they need to compete for jobs created through the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Better Regulation
The DWP is firmly committed to better regulation and to better policy making to achieve light-touch proportionate regulation that achieves its policy objective without imposing unnecessary burdens on business.
More information is available on the Better Regulation page.
Disability Discrimination Act
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) is a law designed to end discrimination against disabled people.
It also meets the needs of small to medium sized businesses as it is flexible enough to take account of your business's individual circumstances.
Read more about the Disability Discrimination Act and how it affects your business, including practical examples of the changes your company could consider making.
Jobcentre Plus
Helping people find work and employers to fill their jobs quickly with the right candidate.
Phone: 0845 601 2001
- Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
New Deal
Operated by Jobcentre Plus and is a key part of the Government's welfare to work programme. Financial support is available to employers who recruit and train New Dealers.
- Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Age Positive
A campaign to end age discrimination in the workplace. Age Positive offers businesses examples of good practice, advice and information about age legislation.
- Website: www.businesslink.gov.uk/agepositive
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Responsible for making sure that risks to people's health and safety from work are properly controlled.
Phone: 0845 154 5500
- Website: www.hse.gov.uk
Child Support Agency
Operating the system for child maintenance, including working directly with employers.
Phone: 0845 3445 0055
- Website: www.csa.gov.uk
Disability and Carers Service
Advising disabled people and, through Jobcentre Plus, the employers of disabled people.
Phone Employer Direct: 0845 601 2001
- Websites:www.dwp.gov.uk/dcs/ and www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
- www.direct.gov.uk/disability/ Gives information about disabled people's rights and relevant legislation. Also covers Government campaigns and consultations.
Business Link
Government is committed to providing an easy and accessible online advice service to business. One of the ways in which all Government Departments are meeting this objective is through www.businesslink.gov.uk
European Social Fund
The European Social Fund (ESF) is a European Union initiative that supports activities to promote employment opportunities for all. Find out more about the ESF programme on the ESF website.
Workplace Health Connect
Workplace Health Connect is a free, no obligation service for small and medium sized enterprises. It provides free, practical advice on workplace health and safety for managers and staff and aims to transfer knowledge and skills direct to companies, so they can tackle future issues themselves.
Authorised Officer powers and their limitations
An Authorised Officer is appointed by the Department under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 to obtain information from employers, contractors, the self employed, pension providers and licensing authorities.
An Officer of the Department is issued with an Authorised Officer identity card to certify them as an Authorised Officer acting on behalf of the Department in accordance with this legislation.
The code of practice for obtaining information, the Guide to the powers of Authorised Officers, and their limitations (AO1) (107KB) 
, explains the powers of Authorised Officers, the extent of those powers, and the responsibilities and rights of the people they request information from. A Welsh version of the Guide
to the powers of Autorised Officers, and their limitations (100KB) is available.
