Press release

Publication of DWP in-house research report IHR4: Right to Bid: Letter on Demand Evaluation

New research on the Letter on Demand service operated as part of the Right to Bid initiative has been published.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

New research on the Letter on Demand service operated as part of the Right to Bid initiative has been published by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Right to Bid was launched in January 2009 and invited organisations to bid for funding to provide employment services which complemented existing DWP mainstream provision. The Letter on Demand pilot took place from October 2009 to April 2010 in three Jobcentre Plus districts: Walthamstow, Leytonstone and Redbridge. The pilot gave jobseekers access to an on-line service which provided them with a CV and covering letter for use in future job applications.

Key findings from the research are:

  • Voucher use on the service was lower than anticipated, with 725 out of 1,680 vouchers issued (43%) being used by clients to access a CV or covering letter.
  • Of those who used the voucher, 341 (87%) clients actually used the CV/covering letter to apply for a job.
  • Clients who used the service reported that it was technically efficient, easy to use, and appreciated the quick turnaround time between submitting their information and receiving a CV.
  • Most clients (73%) rated the product they received as good or very good.

Notes to Editors:

  • DWP Research Report IHR4 - Right to Bid: Letter on Demand Evaluation was published on 23rd June 2011, by DWP.
  • The research was conducted by DWP social researchers.
  • The report and summary are available free on the DWP website: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/ihs-index.asp
  • The report is based on DWP administrative data taken from the Labour Market System, telephone interviews with Letter on Demand customers and an e-mail survey of Jobcentre Plus Employment Advisers.
Published 28 June 2011