Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Jobcentre Services

Monday 28 June 2021 · 7 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 6 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • We have recruited thousands of new work coaches and expanded our jobcentre network to help people back into work.
  • Our jobcentres have remained open throughout the pandemic to support vulnerable customers, with tailored claimant commitments since July 2020.
  • Stafford JCP is hosting an interactive kickstart event to provide wraparound support for 18 to 24-year-old claimants through a tailored pre-employment course.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Giles Watling Con
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP is concerned about steps being taken to help people back into work through jobcentres.

Question

What steps she is taking to help people back into work through the provision of jobcentre services?

Answer from Mims Davies (Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health)

We have recruited thousands of new work coaches and expanded our jobcentre network. We deliver additional provisions such as job-finding support, job entry targeted support, the £2 billion kickstart scheme, and the restart scheme. We also opened new Department for Work and Pensions youth hubs, expanded sector-based work academy programmes, and increased flexible support funds.

Answered
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Q2 Gordon Henderson Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP notes issues with people failing to attend jobcentre appointments due to lack of sanctions.

Question

What is the Minister doing to make it easier for jobcentres to use sanctions?

Answer from Mims Davies (Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health)

Our jobcentres have remained open throughout the pandemic to support vulnerable customers. Claimant commitments are tailored to individual circumstances by work coaches since July last year, ensuring sanctions remain at record low levels as we fully consider individual circumstances before applying a sanction.

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Q3 Antony Higginbotham
Children & Families
Context

The MP welcomes youth hubs but asks for details on what support young people will receive.

Question

What kind of support will young people get when they go into the youth hub?

Answer from Mims Davies (Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health)

I have visited new youth hubs both physically and virtually. Our youth hubs tailor their support alongside local partners to meet community needs. The Minister would be delighted to join my hon. Friend at the Burnley youth hub.

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Q4 Theo Clarke
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP wants to know about plans to support young people's employment in the region.

Question

What is planned to help young people find jobs in Stafford?

Answer from Mims Davies (Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health)

Since September 2020, our enhanced DWP youth offer provides wraparound support for 18 to 24-year-old claimants through a tailored pre-employment course. Stafford JCP is hosting an interactive kickstart event tomorrow.

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Q5 Ben Bradley Con
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP inquires about extending kickstart-style schemes or incentives for out-of-work adults.

Question

What opportunities are there to consider extending kickstart-style schemes or incentives for out-of-work adults?

Answer from Mims Davies (Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health)

Our plan for jobs supports people of any age through programmes such as the sector-based work academy, enhanced “50 PLUS: Choices” offer, and the new DWP “Train and Progress”, which allows training into growing sectors using flexibilities built in within universal credit.

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Q6 Giles Watling Con
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP is concerned about jobcentre capacity and support for coastal communities.

Question

Is the Minister considering our often overlooked and deprived coastal areas as part of their work to help people back into employment?

Answer from Mims Davies (Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health)

Understanding local community needs is key. Our jobcentres change lives every day, such as a recent success story in Clacton where a customer started a kickstart job in wildlife conservation after the five-week pre-employment course at DWP.

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Q7 Andy McDonald Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
NHS Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP asks about recognising long-term symptoms of covid-19 as disabilities.

Question

Will the Minister commit to recognising long-term covid-19 symptoms as disabilities from diagnosis?

Answer from Mims Davies (Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health)

We always tailor personalised support to individual circumstances. Throughout the pandemic, jobcentres have kept people feeling safe and supported businesses and workers to feel safe at work.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Recognition of long covid as a disability from diagnosis

How: Tailoring Support, Keeping Jobcentres Open

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