Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Jobcentres: South East Cornwall

Monday 13 May 2024 · 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sheryll Murray inquired about steps to increase support in jobcentres in South East Cornwall.
  • The Minister expressed condolences to the family and friends of Colin Breed and noted near record levels of payrolled employment.
  • Ronnie Cowan asked about sanctions for those missing jobcentre appointments due to industrial action.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sheryll Murray Con
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP is seeking information on the support available at jobcentres within her constituency of South East Cornwall.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to increase the support available in jobcentres in South East Cornwall constituency.

Answer from Jo Churchill

My hon. Friend will know that her local jobcentres are doing a good job of helping people find and progress in work in her area, driving the recruitment of seasonal workers and creating exciting partnerships with employers such as Morrisons.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps taken to increase support, instead highlighted existing efforts.

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Q2 Sheryll Murray Con
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP expressed condolences for her predecessor and noted that employers in her constituency are struggling to find staff. She cited a Library paper indicating that 1,405 people were claiming unemployment benefits in her constituency last month.

Question

With your permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to put on record my condolences to the family and many friends of my immediate predecessor Colin Breed, who sadly passed away last Thursday. Under the Conservatives, we have near record levels of payrolled employment and I regularly hear from employers that they cannot get the staff needed. Last month's House of Commons Library paper on people claiming unemployment benefits stated that 1,405 people were doing so in my constituency. What more can the Department do to make sure that the unemployed are ready to fit into vacancies as they arise by looking at what local businesses need?

Answer from Jo Churchill

I am sure I speak for the whole House when I join my hon. Friend in sending our condolences to the family and friends of her predecessor. Our employment relation teams are working hard with local employers to match customers to the vacancies in my hon. Friend's businesses. We are building skills, working with sector-based work academy programmes and boot camps, supporting people with a generous increased childcare offer of up to £1,000 for one child and £1,700 for two, and helping people with access to travel.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific measures addressing local business needs directly, instead highlighted various initiatives.

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Q3 Ronnie Cowan SNP
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP is concerned about jobcentres closing due to ongoing industrial action, which could impact individuals' ability to meet their obligations.

Question

On specific days, jobcentres have been closed due to ongoing industrial action. Can the Minister assure me that anybody who misses an appointment due to that action will not be sanctioned?

Answer from Jo Churchill

We will always take a reasonable view and make sure that unavoidable circumstances such as those the hon. Gentleman speaks of will be taken into account when talking to customers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific assurance against sanctions, only mentioned taking a 'reasonable view'.

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