Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Returning to Employment: Covid-19

Monday 14 September 2020 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The furlough scheme has been successful, and the government plans to support job seekers through the expansion of SWAPs, doubling work coaches, and launching the kickstart scheme.
  • The SWAPs programme allows individuals to gain new skills, and JETS provides extra help for those unemployed for three months or more.
  • A 14-week IT connect 50-plus programme is available in North Devon to support those over 50 in developing digital skills.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Selaine Saxby
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The furlough scheme has helped many employees keep their jobs, but concerns remain about supporting those who have become unemployed due to the pandemic.

Question

What steps are being taken with Cabinet colleagues to support people back into the labour market after becoming unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak?

Answer from Therese Coffey

The furlough scheme has been successful, and we have a plan for jobs including the expansion of SWAPs, doubling work coaches, and launching the kickstart scheme. Our jobcentres are fully reopened.

Answered
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Q2 Jane Hunt
Employment
Context

Concerns have been raised about the skills and experience of older individuals being overlooked by employers in the current job market.

Question

What steps will be taken to encourage employers not to overlook the valuable skills and experience that those aged 50 and above can bring to the workplace?

Answer from Therese Coffey

The SWAPs programme allows individuals to gain new skills, and our job-finding support package will draw on private sector expertise. JETS provides extra help for those unemployed for three months or more.

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Q3 Sally-Ann Hart
Employment
Context

The kickstart scheme supports young people aged 16 to 25, but there is a need for training and support for older individuals.

Question

What measures are being taken to help people over the age of 25 gain skills and training to secure employment?

Answer from Therese Coffey

Our £30 billion plan includes SWAPs, which provides training, work experience, and guaranteed job interviews. Older workers can participate and gain new skills.

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Q4 Selaine Saxby
Education Employment
Context

The kickstart scheme supports younger individuals, but there is a need to ensure that older constituents do not miss out on support.

Question

Will the Government ensure that those aged over 25 will not be forgotten and receive additional help and support for retraining?

Answer from Therese Coffey

Work coaches are key to identifying opportunities; we are doubling their numbers. In North Devon, a 14-week IT connect 50-plus programme is available to support those over 50 in developing digital skills.

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Q5 Seema Malhotra Labour (Co-op) Feltham and Heston
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The pledge to have 4,500 new work coaches by October has not been met; only 300 are in post.

Question

Why has the target of having 4,500 new work coaches by October resulted in only 300 being available? What is going on?

Answer from Therese Coffey

We are recruiting a number of people into the Department, and existing DWP civil servants can move roles to become work coaches. The aim is to meet our targets on the agreed timescale.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific reasons for the delay in meeting the pledge were not fully explained

How: Far From What Is Going On

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