Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the rise in (1) unemployment, and (2) economic inactivity, highlighted in the Office for National Statistics data, published on 16 April; and what steps they are taking to support individuals transitioning back into employment.

The Department monitors a wide range of indicators to understand trends in employment, unemployment and inactivity. This is in line with advice from the ONS who say “we would advise caution when interpreting short-term changes in headline rates and recommend using them as part of our suite of labour market indicators” given the recent volatility in Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimates.

DWP supports people across the country to move into and progress in work and is committed to reducing economic inactivity. The Department delivers comprehensive employment support including through face-to-face time with Work Coaches in our Jobcentres and via more intensive contracted employment programmes. Last year we also announced a wide range of additional support via the Spring Budget and the Back to Work Plan including extending and expanding our Restart scheme, announcing our new WorkWell service and expanding Additional Jobcentre Support.