Memorandum of understanding between the Department for Work and Pensions and the Welsh Ministers relating to the funding and delivery of the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer in Wales

1.1 The parties to this Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) are:

• The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions acting through the Department for Work and Pensions (“DWP”), and
• The Welsh Ministers (“WMs”)

1.2 For the purpose of this MoU, each shall be a “Party” and together “Parties”.

1.3 In this MoU “Economically Inactive People” means persons out of work and not looking for work who are not currently engaged with employment or skills support or in education or training.

2.1 This MoU, which is not intended to be legally binding, sets out a clear set of conditions and principles for joint working between the DWP and WMs for the overall delivery of the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer in Wales (the “Trailblazer”) and covers the following:

• Aims of the Trailblazer
• Funding/Payment Schedule
• The principles of collaborative working
• Management and governance

2.2 This MoU shall take effect from the date it is signed by the Parties and will remain in effect, subject to any earlier termination in accordance with the provisions set out at 2.3, mutual agreement to terminate its effect as set out at paragraph 2.4, or extension as set out at paragraph 2.5 permitted below, until 31 March 2026 (the “Term”).

2.3 Early termination may be considered if the funding specified in section 4 is used by the WMs for activities clearly outside of the scope of those outlined in section 3. However, early termination will only be considered where the dispute resolution procedures specified in paragraph 10 have been fully implemented in relation to a dispute and have not resulted in a resolution thereof.

2.4 Either Party may terminate this MoU at any time by giving at least 3 months’ written notice to the other Party.

2.5 This MoU may be extended if the funding for trailblazers continues beyond 31 March 2026.

3.1 The key aims of the Trailblazer are to:

• Test localised approaches aiming to engage with and support economically inactive people of working age and through system integration across a range of UK government and Welsh Government funded provision, including Jobcentre Plus.
   
• Take a multi-agency approach, testing innovative ways of connecting health, skills and reserved and devolved employability support to engage with economically inactive people of working age in certain Welsh local authority areas specified by the Welsh Government in consultation with Jobcentre Plus. Specifically channel support towards Economically Inactive People who:
   
  • Have health conditions
  • Are disabled
  • Have caring responsibilities

4.1 DWP will provide funding of up to £10,000,000 (all figures being inclusive of any applicable VAT) which will be transferred as part of the UK government Estimates process in 2 tranches:

• Main Estimate: £5 million
• Supplementary estimate: up to £5 million

5.1 In accordance with the concordat between the Department for Work and Pensions and the Welsh Government, both parties will endeavour to work together on the development and the delivery of the Trailblazer in Wales, to ensure the Trailblazer meets the key aims as set out in paragraph 3.1 of this MOU.  

5.2 When planning any publicity or announcements on the Trailblazers the DWP and WMs (via Welsh Government officials) will inform each other of their intentions, make all reasonable efforts to coordinate such activity and consider whether it would be beneficial to have a joint or co-ordinated campaign.

6.1 Trailblazer local activity will be delivered by the WMs and through local authorities in Wales working in a partnership with Jobcentre Plus.

6.2 The WMs will run and coordinate the Trailblazer, administer grants to local authorities taking part in the Trailblazer and shape and monitor the delivery of support to individuals eligible to participate in Trailblazer provision.

6.3 Welsh Government officials and DWP officials will hold regular meetings to share trailblazer progress and learning to inform future policy making.

7.1 The DWP plans to conduct an evaluation of Get Britain Working Trailblazers and may commission a contracted evaluation organisation to undertake this or elements of it.

7.2 In accordance with the Concordat between the Department for Work and Pensions and the Welsh Government, the WMs will endeavour to actively participate in this evaluation by collecting Management Information as agreed with the DWP trailblazer evaluation team and support the engagement of all types of research participants, which may include programme participants, staff delivering the Trailblazers and delivery partners, employers, wider stakeholders and other research participant groups identified by DWP or the Welsh Government. This could include Welsh Government taking actions to enable surveys and qualitative research (for example, providing sample records, promoting opportunities to participate in research and providing access for site visits).

7.3 DWP will share the progress and outcome of the evaluation with WMs and provide opportunities to influence its design.

7.4 DWP will control any evaluation, research, and conclusions from the wider Get Britain Working trailblazer initiative, including deciding when it will be published. The data included within any such publication will be anonymised. The collection of any data related to the Trailblazer in Wales will be subject to the approval of WMs – they will retain control of the publication of any evaluation, research and conclusions relating to the Trailblazer in Wales.

8.1 WMs will be responsible for liaising with UK Government Ministers on trailblazer progress.

9.1 Both parties will look to develop a data sharing agreement to enable personal data to be lawfully shared between the Parties and enabling DWP, WMs and any contracted evaluation organisation to conduct trailblazer research and analysis as part of the evaluation.

10.1 In the event that a dispute between the Parties cannot be resolved by negotiation between the Senior Responsible Officers from each organisation (see below signatories), the matter shall be handled in accordance with the Concordat between the Department for Work and Pensions and the Welsh Government.

Each Party will provide to the other Party any information in its possession that may be reasonably requested by the other Party, subject to any confidentiality constraints, safeguards, and statutory rules on disclosure. Each Party will consult the other Party before making to any third party any significant disclosures of information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to this MoU.

Signed on behalf of DWP: 
Name: Angus Gray 
Position: DWP Policy Group Director (Senior Responsible Owner for Get Britain Working Trailblazers)
Signature:

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Date: 27 March 2025

Signed on behalf of the WMs:
Name: Emma Edworthy
Position: Deputy Director, Employability Division (Senior Responsible Owner for Wales Economic Inactivity Trailblazer)
Signature:

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Acting under the authority of Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, one of the Welsh Ministers

Date: 27 March 2025