Jobcentre Plus and National Careers Service: Merger

Debate between Baroness Sherlock and Lord Scriven

Thursday 10th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Sherlock (Lab)]

The merger does not affect provision in schools—that remains the responsibility of the Department for Education—but I will make sure my colleagues have seen the report from the House of Lords committee and are addressing it. The merged service will be in a single place, so, for example, a work coach who meets somebody coming into a jobcentre who needs help then has the capacity to refer them directly, if that is what they most need, because the colleagues providing those services will also be working for DWP. That will make a difference. We will also be in a position to set clear performance standards and expectations across the whole of our network, so I hope that will address some of the issues the noble Lord has described.

[Lord Scriven (LD)]

My Lords, regardless of whether the two services merge, evidence shows that people who are providing the service for people with learning disabilities lack knowledge and training. What specific requirements will be in the new contract and service to ensure that staff are fully aware of the requirements of people with learning disabilities and are trained to meet individual needs?

[Baroness Sherlock (Lab)]

The noble Lord raises a very important point. I think there are two different questions. The careers advisers will continue to be careers advisers, who are appropriately qualified, and they will work closely with work coaches. The DWP has a range of support and learning for our staff to make sure they understand the range of customers and disabilities, including learning disabilities. I am quite confident that the relationship between the two will address those points, but I will look specifically at this and make sure we embed it in the guidance and training.