Work experience schemes: Commons Library Standard Note

"Conclusions

In general, evaluations of welfare-to-work policies and workfare schemes have found that the strictest schemes are less likely to work, largely because they can deter all people from claiming benefit, even those most in need, without improving their chances of finding employment.  The OECD, in a 2005 review of welfare-to-work policies, concluded that moderate workfare requirements resulted in better results.

Research from the countries with experience of workfare schemes, particularly the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand, show little evidence that workfare raises the employment prospects of participants.  There is also some evidence to suggest that workfare is less effective in getting people into employment when the labour market is weak.

However, workfare can, via the motivation or deterrence effect, reduce the number of people claiming benefits."

www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN0624...k-experience-schemes