Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Jobcentres: Outreach

Monday 16 December 2024 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Jobcentres work with external providers to offer outreach support in local communities.
  • The Minister welcomes community interest companies hosting jobcentres in rural areas.
  • A youth hub similar to the one in Oxford may open in Newbury.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lee Dillon Lib Dem Newbury
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question arises from the potential benefits of jobcentres extending their services into local communities. The MP is interested in the government's assessment and support for such initiatives.

Question

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of jobcentres launching outreach initiatives in local communities.

Answer from Andrew Western

Jobcentres work with a range of external providers to offer a wealth of outreach support. In Berkshire, this includes work coach support for customers with complex needs delivered by Reading college, outreach delivered by the Slough homelessness team and at Windsor Homeless Project locations, and employment support delivered by the probation hub in Reading. Outreach work is something that we not only strongly support, but actively encourage.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked for an assessment of merits but the answer provided examples without a formal evaluation of benefits.

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Q2 Lee Dillon Lib Dem Newbury
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The previous exchange highlighted specific outreach initiatives in Berkshire, excluding Newbury. The MP seeks to explore whether community interest companies could host jobcentre facilities in rural areas.

Question

Would he welcome community interest companies such as Lambourn Junction hosting jobcentres in their facilities to make sure that people in rural constituencies such as mine have access to a jobcentre, rather than having to travel into the main town centre for that support?

Answer from Andrew Western

I would very much welcome such an initiative being brought forward in the hon. Member's constituency of Newbury. He may also be pleased to know that there is the potential for a youth hub to open in Newbury, similar to that in Oxford, which was grant funded and is already in operation.

Answered
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