This report presents findings on the implementation and effectiveness of Britain's Employment Retention and Advancement (ERA) demonstration programme for New Deal 25 Plus customers (ND25 Plus) two years after entering the programme. The effectiveness of this programme is being evaluated using a random assignment research design. Over 16,000 people were randomly assigned onto the programme, making this study one of the largest randomised social policy trials ever undertaken in Britain.
The analysis relies heavily on data from two waves of a longitudinal customer survey administered at 12 and 24 months respectively, following each individual's date of random assignment (when they entered the study). The survey respondents (around 6,000) are a representative sub-sample of the full sample of ND25 Plus customers enrolled in the study.
The analysis also used data on employment, earnings and benefits receipt from administrative records for the entire sample. To provide a richer understanding of the Jobcentre Plus offices' experience of implementing ERA and customers experiences of ERA, the analysis also uses qualitative research involving in-depth interviews with ERA staff and customers
