A group of MPs has questioned whether the coalition's flagship welfare to work scheme is helping the most disadvantaged long-term unemployed people.

According to a report on the Work Programme issued on 21 May by the Work and Pensions Committee, the programme's payment-by-results pricing structure encourages employment contractors to 'park' jobseekers – such as people with disabilities, homeless or those with drink or drugs problems – deemed incapable of securing long-term work.