The Cost of Services and Incentives in the UK Employment Retention and Advancement (ERA) Demonstration: Preliminary Analysis

Abstract

This report presents a preliminary cost analysis of Britain’s Employment Retention and Advancement (ERA) demonstration, which has been carefully evaluated through a large-scale randomized control trial. Aimed at helping low-income individuals sustain employment and progress in work, ERA is distinguished by a combination of job coaching and financial incentives that it offers to participants once they are working. The ERA demonstration project began operations in late 2003 as a pilot programme. Programme operations are now completed. It was administered by Jobcentre Plus in six regions of the country: East Midlands, London, North East England, North West England, Scotland and Wales. The preliminary cost estimates included here have been updated to include the costs to Jobcentre Plus and other Government agencies to subsidise education and training activities.