The Work Program: a new public governance policy or a continuation of new public management?

Since the 1970s, the governance of labor market policies in the UK has been characterized by New Public Management (NPM) has led to trend towards activation. The current Coalition Government has maintained this focus on activation and national welfare-to-work strategy for the long-term unemployed, the Work Program, follows a similar pattern to that of previous programs, of previous policies. This has been the subject of an increased shift towards activation-focused welfare policies is changing the governance of public policy towards adoption of a new model inspired by working and synonymous partnership with New Public Governance. This paper, through documentary evidence and qualitative interviews, compares with the Work program with service policies and performance payment - and situates it within governance typologies.