Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Antonia Bance and Diana Johnson

Monday 26th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Antonia Bance (Tipton and Wednesbury) (Lab)]

16. What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of jobcentre work coaches in directing people to English for speakers of other languages courses.

[The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Dame Diana Johnson)]

Jobcentre Plus offers tailored, flexible advice and support to help individuals get into work and overcome any barriers to employment. Work coaches offer all claimants a comprehensive menu of help, including referral to skills provision and job search support. That can include referral to local ESOL provision.

[Antonia Bance]

I thank the Minister for her answer. I recently visited Tipton Jobcentre Plus, and I pay tribute to the great work of the staff based there in what is a really tough jobs market. They told me that they would value the ability to refer jobseekers to an intensive ESOL course, with the expectation that the jobseeker attends every weekday for a number of months, to tackle the key barrier to sustainable employment for many, which is a lack of English skills for work. Will the Minister consider engaging with our combined authority to pilot an intensive, mandatory ESOL intervention, to get locals into work and raise incomes in my area?

[Dame Diana Johnson]

I thank my hon. Friend for her interest and her visit to Tipton Jobcentre Plus, and for her kind words about the staff there. Jobcentre Plus in Tipton has been reviewing local ESOL availability. It is welcoming work with the combined authority to look at expanding provision, to ensure that demand is met and so that more claimants can move into work.

Respect Orders and Antisocial Behaviour

Debate between Antonia Bance and Diana Johnson

Wednesday 27th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Dame Diana Johnson]

I must say that I am very pleased to hear a Conservative Member of Parliament asking to be added to our list of pilot areas for the respect orders. I will certainly do that.

[Antonia Bance (Tipton and Wednesbury) (Lab)]

I wish to associate myself with the comments that have been made about the scourge of illegal motorbikes. They are a particular scourge in communities across Tipton, Wednesbury and Coseley. One of my favourite pledges in the Labour party’s manifesto was the pledge to seize those bikes without notice and crush them within 48 hours. Can the Minister tell us how soon we will get on with crushing the bikes?

[Dame Diana Johnson]

Today I am able to say that we are going to do that. My hon. Friend will have to wait a little longer for the details and the timetable, but that is certainly my intention.