Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Jobcentres

Monday 13 November 2023 · 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

  • Ministerial support for expanding jobcentre initiatives was discussed.
  • Job fairs and midlife MOT programs were highlighted for their success.
  • A temporary Jobcentre Plus on Renfield Street is set to be closed down.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nicholas Fletcher
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP is concerned about expanding jobcentre support in Don Valley, a Yorkshire constituency.

Question

I am concerned about the steps my Department is taking to expand the support available through jobcentres. What specific initiatives are being implemented?

Answer from Guy Opperman

I am on a one-man mission to support my hon. Friend, who is a doughty champion for Don Valley and getting more people into jobs in his Yorkshire constituency. It was a pleasure to visit his constituency recently and meet the jobcentre leads in his patch, to understand what we can do to drive forward greater employment. He will be aware of the £3.5 billion package of support across the country, some of which is being spent in Yorkshire.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP requested specific actions or funding but received a general statement about the Minister's efforts and a national figure without local specifics.

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Q2 Nicholas Fletcher
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP highlights job fairs organized by Doncaster and Thorne jobcentres, emphasizing the potential for a second career among people aged 50+.

Question

I thank members of Doncaster and Thorne jobcentres for the job fairs they have done, subsequent to my meeting with the Minister at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Job fairs do a fantastic job. Does the Minister agree that many people in their 50s are busying themselves at home, when they could be having a wonderful second career like me? If he does agree with me, what can he do to help them jumpstart into a new career?

Answer from Guy Opperman

My hon. Friend will be aware of the 50-plus champions that we have up and down the country. The midlife MOT is being rolled out across the private sector and across jobcentres up and down the country. Older Workers Week is coming up, and there is no doubt that there are successes up and down the country of workers beyond retirement age who are doing amazing work, whether that is the 96-year-old shop owner I met in Macclesfield, or many of the others I have met in the past few months. These are great people whom we want to support into work on an ongoing basis.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for specific actions to assist individuals aged 50+, but received a broad statement about initiatives without concrete steps or local specifics.

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Q3 Alison Thewliss SNP
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP received a letter from the Minister for social mobility, youth and progression stating that the Jobcentre Plus on Renfield Street is to be closed. The location was opened temporarily during covid.

Question

Last week, I received a letter from the Minister for social mobility, youth and progression, the hon. Member for Mid Sussex (Mims Davies), saying that she intends to close down the Jobcentre Plus on Renfield Street, which was opened on a temporary basis in 2021. I know from having met the staff there that they have done a huge amount of work to get people in through the door—and in particular to work with employers—and into employment, including a programme for Ukrainians. Why does the Department want to throw that all away and close it down?

Answer from Guy Opperman

I think the clue is in the name: it was a temporary jobcentre during covid. I am happy that the specific Minister will write and further explain the situation.

Not addressed: The MP requested an explanation for closing down Renfield Street Jobcentre despite its success, but received a vague response redirecting to a future written reply without addressing the immediate concern.

How: Redirects To A Written Response

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