G4S is to receive 5 per cent more referrals for some customer groups, which are to be diverted from its competitors in each contract area.

The latest Work Programme data has been released by the Department for Work and Pensions and outlines the performance of the 18 Prime Contractors and the plans for market share shifting.  The statistics are the most up to date figures on the performance of the Work Programme in the public domain.

Responding to the figures, G4S Director of Welfare to Work, Alex Stevenson, said:

"I am delighted that G4S is being recognised for our prolonged success in supporting people into work.  We continue to outperform our competitors in every region we operate so the news that more jobseekers will be referred to us can only be good for those who are out of work and the taxpayer.

"We welcome the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) taking an active role in managing the market by moving jobseekers from the weaker providers to those securing the most sustained job outcomes.  Without any real consequences for provider performance there is no competition and overall performance will be held back."

G4S' Welfare to Work business has helped more than 26,000 people into lasting employment since June 2011. The company delivers the Work Programme in three regions of the UK, south east, Yorkshire and Humberside and the Manchester, Warrington and Cheshire area, using a network of delivery partners from the voluntary, private and public sectors.

G4S policy and research manager, Will Tanner, has written about how  further reform to market share and incentives could make the work programme work better on the LSE's blog.