Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Transition to Civilian Employment

Monday 5 July 2021 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Steve McCabe asked about steps taken to help improve the transition from the armed forces into employment, highlighting concerns about high unemployment rates among ex-service personnel.
  • Mary Glindon inquired why the Armed Forces Bill does not include employment within its scope, noting that the unemployment rate for veterans is significantly higher than the national average.
  • The Minister responded positively to the Department for Work and Pensions' approach, citing the presence of an armed forces champion in a DWP Jobcentre Plus office as evidence of a veteran-friendly environment.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steve McCabe Lab
Employment Veterans
Context

84% of service leavers were employed within six months in 2019-20, but some estimates suggest double the national unemployment rate for ex-service personnel aged 18 to 49.

Question

What steps has he taken to help improve transition from the armed forces into employment? I welcome the work of the Career Transition Partnership, but some estimates suggest that unemployment among ex-service personnel aged 18 to 49 is double the national average. Has he asked his Department for Work and Pensions colleagues to consider including an obligatory question on initial Jobcentre Plus registration?

Answer from Leo Docherty

I am content that the DWP is now very much veteran-aware. I have been impressed with its veteran-friendly approach; 10 days ago, I saw an armed forces champion in a DWP Jobcentre Plus office.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Mandatory question about armed forces service in Jobcentre Plus registrations

How: Acknowledged Veteran Awareness But Did Not Commit To Specific Action On Registration Questions

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Q2 Mary Glindon Lab Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Employment Veterans
Context

The average unemployment rate for veterans is 7%, compared to the general population at 4.8%. The Armed Forces Bill does not include employment provisions.

Question

Can the Minister say why the Armed Forces Bill does not include employment within its scope? The average unemployment rate across the general population in this country is 4.8%, whereas for veterans, it is a very concerning 7%.

Answer from Leo Docherty

In reality, statistics show that the picture is positive; if we compare like for like, veterans are overwhelmingly in good employment due to an overall demand in civilian sectors to take on veterans.

Not addressed: Including employment within the Armed Forces Bill's scope

How: Changed Topic To Positive Employment Statistics

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Q3 Steve McCabe Lab
Employment Veterans
Context

84% of service leavers were employed within six months in 2019-20, but some estimates suggest double the national unemployment rate for ex-service personnel aged 18 to 49.

Question

What steps has he taken to help improve transition from the armed forces into employment? I welcome the work of the Career Transition Partnership, but some estimates suggest that unemployment among ex-service personnel aged 18 to 49 is double the national average. Has he asked his Department for Work and Pensions colleagues to consider the simple suggestion of the Centre for Social Justice to include an obligatory question on initial Jobcentre Plus registration: “Have you ever served in the UK armed forces?”?

Answer from Leo Docherty

I am content that the DWP is now very much veteran-aware. I have been impressed with its veteran-friendly approach; 10 days ago, I saw an armed forces champion in a DWP Jobcentre Plus office.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Mandatory question about armed forces service in Jobcentre Plus registrations

How: Acknowledged Veteran Awareness But Did Not Commit To Specific Action On Registration Questions

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