NCVO has expressed disappointment that the first release of official data from the Work Programme does not include data on referrals to the voluntary sector.

The data, released by the Department for Work and Pensions today, provides details on the types of referrals on the Work Programme, but not who customers are being referred to.

It finds that from June 2011 to October 2011, 93.9 per cent of referrals on the Work Programme were jobseekers’ allowance claimants, while employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants made up only 5.5 per cent of referrals.

ESA claimants, who often have special needs, are traditionally associated with the voluntary sector.

Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, said this reinforced the fears expressed by its special interest group that this group is being deprived of support from charities.

Sir Stuart added: "It is disappointing that the referrals data does not drill down further than prime contractor level. 

"We have heard worrying evidence of voluntary sector subcontractors receiving very low levels of referrals, so more thorough data could have really helped to pinpoint whether the sector’s degree of involvement in the Work Programme tallies with previous assurances made by government."

The Employment Related Services Association, a trade body for the welfare-to-work industry, is calling on the government to take action to increase the flow of ESA jobseekers.