Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Jobseekers and People on Low Incomes: Skills

Monday 31 October 2022 · 4 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Anna Firth asked about steps to help jobseekers and people on low incomes develop necessary skills for better jobs.
  • Simon Baynes inquired about government support for single mothers and mature students to access decent education.
  • Margaret Ferrier questioned the assessment of current support for adults with conditions like autism or ADHD and asked about steps to improve it.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Anna Firth
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question concerns the government's efforts to support those seeking employment or working in low-paid jobs to acquire skills necessary for higher-paying positions.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure jobseekers and people on low incomes develop the skills required for highly skilled and well-paid jobs?

Answer from Guy Opperman

Our dedicated work coaches engage with claimants to determine what additional support they may need to enter or progress in work. Where skills gaps are identified, claimants will be encouraged to access skills-related employment programmes such as sector-based work academies, skills boot camps or appropriate local training provision.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific commitments or timelines for initiatives aimed at developing highly skilled and well-paid job opportunities specifically for low-income individuals.

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Q2 Simon Baynes
Education Benefits & Welfare
Context

The questioner highlights a constituent's concern that the government is not effectively communicating how Universal Credit can support individuals like her in pursuing further education.

Question

My constituent Kerry Mackay recently wrote saying there's lots of talk about getting people back into work and those on low incomes finding better jobs, but she thinks the government misses a trick by not highlighting how much they will help single mothers and mature students to get decent educations. Will the Minister advertise as effectively as possible how Universal Credit can support people like Kerry to study for their degrees?

Answer from Guy Opperman

We want to support our constituents like Kerry, and I thank my hon. Friend for his question. He suggests writing to me with specific details, but I can assure him and Kerry that recipients of UC can take part in training without compromising their benefit entitlement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a concrete plan or commitment to advertise how Universal Credit supports education for single mothers and mature students.

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Q3 Anna Firth
Context

The questioner welcomes the new Secretary of State and expresses interest in discussing apprenticeships as a key way to upskill young people.

Question

I welcome the new Secretary of State to his place. Does my hon. Friend agree that apprenticeships and further education are a key way of upskilling our young people? Will he visit Southend West soon and meet some of our successful apprentices, such as Holly at Guardian Exhibition and Display in Eastwood, and Ipeco in Southend?

Answer from Guy Opperman

All roads lead to Southend as far as I am concerned. My hon. Friend is proving to be a fantastic champion and successor of our good friend Sir David Amess. I would be delighted to visit. I welcome the great work of the companies she mentioned and believe very strongly that we need to improve skills through the package that we are taking forward.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline or commitment for visiting Southend West.

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Q4 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Education
Context

The questioner sends condolences regarding the tragic incident in Seoul and asks about the effectiveness of support provided to neurodivergent individuals, such as those with autism or ADHD.

Question

I send my condolences and thoughts to all tragically killed in Seoul. Education is vital for a skilled workforce. Adults with conditions like autism or ADHD may require personalised support. What assessment has the Minister made of current support's efficacy? What steps are being taken to improve it?

Answer from Guy Opperman

Skills and education are devolved matters. I echo the hon. Lady's words about South Korea. Great work is being done in youth hubs, which I recommend to her.

Not addressed: Completely avoided addressing the question of assessing current support for neurodivergent individuals and improving it.

How: Devolved Matter, Recommendation About Youth Hubs

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