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Background This study aimed to explore the experiences and needs of (ex-)welfare benefit recipients from a large urban municipality in the Netherlands regarding their welfare-to-work services and their case workers. Methods Quantitative data from a client satisfaction survey that was filled out by 213 people (response rate 11%) who received welfare-to-work services was combined with results from four group interviews with a total of 15 people receiving welfare-to-work services. Verbatim transcripts from the interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results The survey results showed that most clients were reasonably satisfied with the welfare-to-work services they received. Four main themes emerged from the interviews: (1) experiences and needs related to the interactions between case workers and benefit recipients; (2) the need for tailored services; (3) the complicating role of the system the case workers operate within; and (4) the existence of differences between case workers regarding how strict they followed the rules and to what extent they connected with their clients on a personal level. Conclusions Our findings show that clients were reasonably satisfied with the welfare-to-work services provided by their municipality but that there is still room for improvement. Case workers should have good social skills to build a trusting relationship with the client, welfare-to-work services should be tailored to the individual, and clear concise information should be given to welfare benefit recipients, especially with regard to what benefit recipients can expect of the municipality and the case workers, given their dual role in supporting (re-)integration to work and monitoring benefit eligibility.

The developments on the North Sea offer opportunities to strengthen the economy of the Province of South Holland and to improve the spatial quality of the environment. With this research, the Province of South Holland gains better insight into the developments on and surrounding the North Sea that can influence and shape the provincial ambitions. Based on expected trends and developments on and surrounding the North Sea and related stakeholders’ visions, ambitions and opportunities, we develop four scenarios for the future of the Province of South Holland, building on the North Sea scenarios developed by PBL (2018, 2019). For each of these scenarios, we provide insight into the expected economic and spatial impacts as well as an overview of the social challenges, the possible policy instruments and the related roles & responsibilities that these scenarios entail. These scenarios form the basis for the definition of no-regret policy recommendations regarding developments and opportunities related to activities on sea, on the coast and in the port. With this we put topics on the agenda for the development of a coherent (future) economic and spatial-environmental policy for the Province of South Holland., De ontwikkelingen op de Noordzee bieden kansen om de economie in de Provincie Zuid-Holland te versterken en de ruimtelijke omgevingskwaliteit te verbeteren. Met dit onderzoek krijgt de Provincie Zuid-Holland een beter inzicht in de ontwikkelingen op en rond de Noordzee die de provinciale ambities kunnen beïnvloeden en vormen. Op basis van verwachte trends en ontwikkelingen op en rond de Noordzee en gerelateerde visies, ambities en kansen van stakeholders ontwikkelen we, uitgaande van de Noordzeescenario’s ontwikkeld door PBL (2018, 2019), vier scenario’s voor de toekomst voor de Provincie Zuid-Holland. Voor ieder van deze scenario’s geven wij inzicht in de verwachte economische en ruimtelijke impacts evenals een overzicht van de maatschappelijke opgaven, de mogelijke beleidsinstrumenten en de gerelateerde rollen & verantwoordelijkheden die deze scenario’s met zich meebrengen. Deze scenario’s vormen de basis voor de definitie van no-regret beleidsaanbevelingen rond ontwikkelingen en kansen gerelateerd aan activiteiten op zee, aan de kust en in de haven. Hiermee agenderen wij onderwerpen voor het ontwikkelen van een samenhangend (toekomstig) economische en ruimtelijke omgevingsbeleid van de Provincie Zuid-Holland.