Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Jobcentre Access: Rural Areas

Monday 7 October 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

  • The Minister acknowledged the need to improve jobcentre accessibility in rural areas.
  • The Minister highlighted youth unemployment as a major focus in rural communities.
  • The Minister recognized the importance of housing associations in employment support.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stuart Anderson Con South Shropshire
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The accessibility of jobcentres for people living in rural areas is a concern due to unique challenges such as distance and transport.

Question

What assessment has been made of the adequacy of the accessibility of jobcentres to people living in rural areas?

Answer from Alison McGovern

We need jobcentres to be better everywhere, including those in rural areas with unique challenges. In the autumn we will publish a White Paper on our plans to transform the employment support system, which will change jobcentres. I welcome input on that issue from Members from all parts of the House.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific accessibility assessment requested was not provided.

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Q2 Stuart Anderson Con South Shropshire
Employment Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

In South Shropshire, youth unemployment has increased recently, raising concerns about the welfare of young people.

Question

In South Shropshire, youth unemployment has risen over the past month. What is the Minister going to do to stop this worrying trend in rural communities like mine?

Answer from Alison McGovern

I thank the hon. Member for bringing that point to the House; it is a major focus of the work that is currently going into the White Paper. We have had very worrying developments for young people since the pandemic, and we need to do much better to give them the best possible start in life. I will say it again: on this issue we welcome input from Members on all sides of the House.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific actions requested were not provided.

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Q3 Jenny Riddell-Carpenter Lab Suffolk Coastal
NHS Housing Employment
Context

Housing associations are significant investors in employment support, especially for hard-to-reach communities such as rural areas.

Question

Housing associations are the second largest investor in employment support in the UK, second only to the Department for Work and Pensions. Their work invests in employment support for some of the hardest-to-reach communities, including rural communities such as mine in Suffolk Coastal. Will the Minister commit to working with housing associations to co-design and co-invest employment support over this Parliament?

Answer from Alison McGovern

I thank my hon. Friend again for her very welcome point. Housing associations are extremely important for connecting with residents, who often have multiple vulnerabilities. When thinking about the journey into work we need joined up services between the NHS, the local authority and our housing associations. They will be a part of the future partnership, and I look forward to working with her for her constituency.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific commitment requested was not provided.

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