23rd Jan 2025 10:21
(Alliance News) - MPs have launched a new inquiry into how jobcentres can be reformed.
The cross-party Work & Pensions Committee will also study plans to merge the National Career Service with jobcentres.
The committee said the inquiry is the first in a series to scrutinise the government's plans to reach its 80% employment rate goal.
There are more than 600 jobcentres in the UK, concentrated in central Scotland, South Wales, the North East of England, Birmingham and London, where higher numbers of people could be affected by the reforms.
The inquiry will examine the role of jobcentres and the experience of people who attend them to find work, as well as how they can work better with other organisations and career advisers.
Debbie Abrahams, who chairs the committee, said: "The committee wants to examine the future role jobcentres can play in, for example, supporting training, skills development, and career planning, in the context of their current priority of overseeing benefits.
"With the employment rate at 74.8%, and economic inactivity at 21.6%, there is no hiding from the challenge of ensuring people have the skills they need to access and progress in work, including the jobs of the future.
"The government plans reforms to refocus the jobcentre by folding in the work of the careers service, but due to the way the jobcentre touches people's lives, being both an access point for benefits and employment opportunities, getting this formula for reform right, if it needs it, is essential."
Evidence to the inquiry can be submitted by March 3.
By Alan Jones, PA Industrial Correspondent
Press Association: Finance
source: PA
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