Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Evening Standard and Independent's £1 million Skill Up Step Up campaign to help address youth joblessness; and what plans they have, if any, to match-fund the newspapers' campaign.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
Campaigns that encourage employers to create more opportunities and to invest in the skills of their future workforce, can make an important contribution to helping young people thrive in the labour market. The Government welcomes the opportunity to work with partners (existing and new) who share our commitment to supporting young people to fulfil their potential for their benefit, as well as that of wider society.
The Government’s Plan for Jobs offers a strong foundation of employment and skills support so young unemployed people can move in to work. Through the face to face support offered in our jobcentres and Youth Hubs, we see the potential of young Londoners every day and it’s vital for business to be a partner in opening up opportunities for them. We know it changes lives, with 21,000 young people in the city having secured jobs for employers of all sizes through our Kickstart Scheme. There is huge strength in coming together as we unleash the talent of the next generation.
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide (1) training, and (2) job opportunities, for members of the black community in London, aged 16–24, who are currently unemployed.
Answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott
The Government is committed to levelling up and building back better by helping our young people from all backgrounds to boost their skills and get into work. There were a record high 4.22 million individuals from an ethnic minority background in employment in September 2021, an increase of 110,000 on the year.
We continue to support young people from all backgrounds through our Youth Offer which is now available for all 16 to 24-year olds making a claim for Universal Credit and in the intensive work search group. It provides wrap-around support through the 13-week Youth Employment Programme, Youth Hubs where young people can access a range of services in one location, and specialist Youth Employability Coaches. These are helping all young people move into work-related provision such as access to education, training or employment programmes that will ultimately lead to sustained employment opportunities and career progression.
For example, The Department for Work and Pensions are working with the Black Training Enterprise Group in Brent and Newham, improving opportunities for young black men to secure skilled jobs in higher-earning sectors including Construction, Financial Services, and Information Technology.
The largest ever expansion of traineeships, and extension of the apprenticeship and traineeship incentive payments to employers in England, will also help young people from all backgrounds to access high quality training and apprenticeship opportunities.
The Youth Offer, and other support such as our Kickstart programme, is part of our £2 billion Plan for Jobs, which was boosted by a further £500 million in October 2021. This is giving all young people the right support that will ultimately lead to sustained employment opportunities and career progression.
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of research by the King's College Centre for Military Health Research which suggested an individual placement and support (IPS) approach to support back-to-work welfare services; and whether they will support The Poppy Factory, which offers an IPS employment service to wounded, injured and sick veterans.
Answered by Baroness Buscombe
Government values the work carried out by The Poppy Factory. The Poppy Factory made a valuable contribution to the Health and Work Green Paper consultation and also attended a special DWP consultation event for Armed Forces stakeholders.
Work Choice is no longer accepting referrals as it is being replaced by The Work and Health Programme, which was rolled out in all areas of England and Wales between November 2017 and March 2018. The Poppy Factory was informed at the appropriate time how to bid to become a Work and Health Programme supplier. Successful suppliers were announced in early October 2017.
The Government looks closely at schemes to help people back to work, studies relevant research and learns lessons where appropriate. The Poppy Factory’s ‘Getting You Back to Work’ programme has delivered impressive outcomes through its Individual Placement and Support approach and the organisation should be congratulated for the way it supports its clients.
The NHS is doubling its provision of IPS services in NHS services for people with severe and enduring mental health, for whom it has proved successful. The Government is also testing whether this model of employment support is effective for other groups.
We would be keen to learn from the experience of the Poppy Factory of running IPS for veterans. Previous DWP Armed Forces Ministers have visited the Poppy Factory in Richmond and I plan to visit later this year.
Asked by: Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the work of the Poppy Factory in helping disabled veterans find sustainable employment; and whether they would consider using it to assist the work of Work Choice.
Answered by Baroness Buscombe
Government values the work carried out by The Poppy Factory. The Poppy Factory made a valuable contribution to the Health and Work Green Paper consultation and also attended a special DWP consultation event for Armed Forces stakeholders.
Work Choice is no longer accepting referrals as it is being replaced by The Work and Health Programme, which was rolled out in all areas of England and Wales between November 2017 and March 2018. The Poppy Factory was informed at the appropriate time how to bid to become a Work and Health Programme supplier. Successful suppliers were announced in early October 2017.
The Government looks closely at schemes to help people back to work, studies relevant research and learns lessons where appropriate. The Poppy Factory’s ‘Getting You Back to Work’ programme has delivered impressive outcomes through its Individual Placement and Support approach and the organisation should be congratulated for the way it supports its clients.
The NHS is doubling its provision of IPS services in NHS services for people with severe and enduring mental health, for whom it has proved successful. The Government is also testing whether this model of employment support is effective for other groups.
We would be keen to learn from the experience of the Poppy Factory of running IPS for veterans. Previous DWP Armed Forces Ministers have visited the Poppy Factory in Richmond and I plan to visit later this year.