
Estimated people supported through Connect to Work nationally
Local authority groupings across England and Wales
Planned national programme rollout 2025 to 2030
50 Degrees has supported more than ten Connect to Work opportunities across a range of providers, delivering commercial and financial modelling to inform bid strategy. Alongside bidder support, we have also advised commissioners on market design. Where we supported commissioners, we excluded ourselves from bidding work to maintain independence and draw on sight from both sides of the market.
Connect to Work competitions varied significantly. Contract terms, pricing mechanisms, and commissioner priorities differed across regions, with some using outcome-based payments and other utilising hybrid and/or fixed-fee models. Other key elements, including referral volumes, caseload assumptions, and delivery contexts, also varied significantly. Bidders needed robust economics and scenario testing to avoid over-commitment, with commissioners seeking procurement structures that would drive delivery without sacrificing long-term value for money.
50 Degrees implemented a dual-perspective approach, supporting bidders on commercial strategy while advising commissioners on procurement design. For bidders, we developed ready-reckoners, detailed financial models, and scenario testing across referrals, starts, and sustainment outcomes. We also integrated cashflow, indexation, and caps to guide price-to-win positioning. For commissioners, we advised on payment structures, contract length, and outcome triggers, excluding ourselves from bidder support where potential conflicts could arise. This approach ensured independence and transparency, enabling us to translate commissioner intent into practical insights for bidders in other opportunities.