Jobcentres Outreach 2024-12-16
2024-12-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the potential benefits of jobcentres extending their services into local communities. The MP is interested in the government's assessment and support for such initiatives.
Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of jobcentres launching outreach initiatives in local communities.
Jobcentres work with a range of external providers to offer a wealth of outreach support. In Berkshire, this includes work coach support for customers with complex needs delivered by Reading college, outreach delivered by the Slough homelessness team and at Windsor Homeless Project locations, and employment support delivered by the probation hub in Reading. Outreach work is something that we not only strongly support, but actively encourage.
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Assessment & feedback
The question specifically asked for an assessment of merits but the answer provided examples without a formal evaluation of benefits.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The previous exchange highlighted specific outreach initiatives in Berkshire, excluding Newbury. The MP seeks to explore whether community interest companies could host jobcentre facilities in rural areas.
Would he welcome community interest companies such as Lambourn Junction hosting jobcentres in their facilities to make sure that people in rural constituencies such as mine have access to a jobcentre, rather than having to travel into the main town centre for that support?
I would very much welcome such an initiative being brought forward in the hon. Member's constituency of Newbury. He may also be pleased to know that there is the potential for a youth hub to open in Newbury, similar to that in Oxford, which was grant funded and is already in operation.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy