Working Links says it is well prepared for changed to the welfare to work programme, according to a spokesperson for the welfare to work provider.

The spokesperson’s comments follow reports in The Financial Times that tens of thousands of unemployed people could be left without a place on a welfare to work programme due to its winding down, ahead of the launch of the new Work Programme in the summer.

The spokesperson told Recruiter: “We’ve known for some time that changes to the welfare system won’t happen overnight and Working Links is working closely with DWP [the Department for Work and Pensions] to ensure we can continue to deliver our services to existing and future customers until the Work Programme launches.

“Working Links welcomes the improvements that the Work Programme will bring; it is vital that these are delivered by organisations experienced in providing specialised, tailored support to their customers.

“We have a proven track record of helping people find employment; we have placed more than 150,000 people back into work over the past 10 years and are currently placing one person back in employment every two minutes of the working day.”