Oral Answers to Questions

Deirdre Costigan Excerpts

Monday 3rd February 2025 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Deirdre Costigan (Ealing Southall) (Lab)]

1. What assessment she has made of the impact of jobcentres on economic growth.

[Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) (Lab)]

12. What assessment she has made of the impact of jobcentres on economic growth.

[The Minister for Employment (Alison McGovern)]

Increasing employment and helping people into good work is essential to growing our economy, which is why our “Get Britain Working” plan sets out our vision to reform jobcentres and build a new jobs and careers service that will meet the different needs of local labour markets, people and businesses.

[Deirdre Costigan]

On Friday, I visited the assessment centre at the west Ealing jobcentre, where staff told me the assessments focus on proving that disabled people cannot work, rather than identifying what jobs they could do if they had the right support. Many disabled people in my constituency are eager for a good job. What more could jobcentres and the Department do to help disabled people into work, rather than simply writing them off?

[Alison McGovern]

I thank my hon. Friend for meeting with Department for Work and Pensions colleagues in west Ealing and, through her, thank them for all the work they are doing. I know she will have been impressed by them, as I always am.

Disabled people have a right to work like everyone else, and it is our job to see that right realised. Doing so will benefit everyone, as we all win when people’s talents and potential are maximised. It is good for business and strengthens our economy. We are doing great things to bring forward our plan for a new jobs and careers service, which will put disabled people at its heart.