Jobcentres to offer more tailored support, says minister

The government has announced changes to how Jobcentres support people into work.

According to employment minister Alison McGovern, jobseekers will get more “time, attention and tailored support to find the right job for them - and stay in it”.

Speaking to the Guardian, she said this would help people build rewarding careers, rather than have to take the first role that becomes available.

AI to free up time for job coaches

As part of this new approach, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will use artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce paperwork for job coaches.

Ms McGovern said this would give them more time to offer face-to-face support to jobseekers, especially those with complex needs.

GPs and physiotherapists will also be involved in supporting people back into work.

“What I would like is a person comes into the Jobcentre who has perhaps not worked for some years and they are given the time so that they can tell their whole story,” Ms McGovern said.

“Jobcentres will then be able to pick up the phone to tailored specific support for that person’s barriers, then support once they are in work as well. 

“We’ve got to see the whole person.”

Minister acknowledges concern over welfare reforms

Ms McGovern went on to acknowledge that many disabled people are concerned about proposed welfare reforms.

“I don’t blame anybody for being scared or worried about it,” she said.

“I understand that.”

However, she stressed that those who will see their benefits reduced will receive a radically different kind of support to help them find and stay in work.

Ministers recently announced planned changes to the welfare system including: 

• freezing the health element of universal credit at £97 a week until 2029-30
• tightening eligibility criteria for personal independence payments (PIP)
• reducing the universal credit health element by £47 a week for new claimants
• scrapping the work capability assessment in 2028
• reducing incapacity benefits for people under 22 

Employers must engage with Jobcentres

Ms McGovern added that only one in six employers currently work directly with Jobcentres.

However, she said increasing this number would lead to more people with the right skills being matched with suitable jobs and being better prepared for interviews or placements.

“One of the things that broke me was reading people say that they thought ‘no one would want them,’” Ms McGovern said.

“I cannot live with the idea that there’s people in this country who think that no one wants them.”