Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Progression out of Low-Paid Jobs

Monday 7 February 2022 · 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • People can use the Train and Progress scheme to access courses to progress out of low-paid jobs.
  • The government is appointing progression champions and opening access to work coach support from April.
  • The Secretary of State will delay publishing the Government's response to the Ruby McGregor-Smith review of low pay.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Aldous Con
Employment
Context

The MP questions steps being taken to support individuals moving from low-paid employment into better-paying roles.

Question

What steps she is taking to support progression out of low pay jobs. People can use the Train and Progress scheme to access courses so that they can progress out of low-paid jobs, but what additional measures are in place?

Answer from Therese Coffey

People can use the Train and Progress scheme to access courses so that they can progress out of low-paid jobs. We are appointing progression champions throughout the country and, from April onwards, will open up access to work coach support to address skills barriers or wider barriers to progression among people who are already in work.

Answered
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Q2 Peter Aldous Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP raises the issue of universal credit conditionality rules hindering people from acquiring skills needed for high-demand jobs in sectors like offshore wind and nuclear power.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend agree to a review of universal credit conditionality, as she and I have discussed and in accordance with the new clause that I have tabled to the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill?

Answer from Therese Coffey

I do not agree with him that we need to reshape student finance in such a way; that is not the purpose of universal credit, and only a limited number of people can undertake that training. I assure him that Train and Progress, which I mentioned, the lifetime skills guarantee and the opening up of access, as well as apprenticeships to get into a sector in the first place, are better ways to make sure that we help people to get on in work.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Agreement for a review of universal credit conditionality rules

How: Reshaping Student Finance, Only Limited Number Can Undertake Training

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Q3 Alison McGovern Lab Birkenhead
Employment Children & Families
Context

The MP references the Ruby McGregor-Smith review commissioned by the Government highlighting issues with progression out of low pay, and criticises kickstart for failing to deliver.

Question

Will the Secretary of State announce today when she will at last publish the Government's response to the Ruby McGregor-Smith review of low pay? Will she say how the Government propose to make progress on two key issues that the review identified: public transport and childcare?

Answer from Therese Coffey

The review is important. I will be candid and say that I am the person who has held it up, because I want to make sure we have got all the questions answered as best we can. Meanwhile, we continue to work across Government on some of the hurdles that people are trying to get over, such as childcare and similar issues. I hope that the response will be published shortly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Announcement of publication date for the Government's response and plans addressing public transport and childcare.

How: I Am The Person Who Has Held It Up

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