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Written Question
Jobcentres
Wednesday 7th January 2026

Asked by: Lauren Edwards (Labour - Rochester and Strood)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how people will access professional careers advice within the new Jobs and Careers Service.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We are committed to continuing the delivery of high quality, impartial careers advice in the new Jobs and Careers Service through professionally qualified careers advisers and recognise that their expertise is essential to enabling the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity and to drive economic growth. We will ensure that anyone will be able to access support, including through the channel that best meets their needs.

In spring 2026, we will publish a report setting out more detail on how we will deliver the new Jobs and Careers Service. This report will bring together the evidence available and show how it has informed, and will continue to inform, the design and development of the new service. We will set out how we will focus on providing genuine, personalised employment support and careers advice, along with a clear outline of the support that people might expect to receive under the new service.

Written Question
National Careers Service: Staff
Wednesday 7th January 2026

Asked by: Lauren Edwards (Labour - Rochester and Strood)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many professionally qualified Level 6 and 7 careers advisers the National Careers Service employs; and how this number will change under the planned new Jobs and Careers Service.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Accurate information on the number of level 6 and 7 qualified careers advisers employed by the National Careers Service is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Following a Written Ministerial Statement made on 16th September 2025 (HCWS930), responsibility for adult skills in England transferred to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The current National Careers Service contracts with the Department for Education (DfE) are due to expire on 30th September 2026 and adult careers advice will be brought in house to DWP from 1st October 2026.

The implications of this change in service arrangements will be worked through carefully with the relevant organisations, and where the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) TUPE Regulations apply, they will be followed.

Consequently, we will not know the number of level 6 and 7 advisers under the new Jobs and Careers Service until the process is complete and the new service starts.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 18 Dec 2025
Oral Answers to Questions

"Thank you, Mr Speaker, and merry Christmas.

Will the Minister outline how the Government are delivering a fairer system to clean up waterways such as the River Medway, which runs through my constituency? It saw over 200 sewage outflows in 2024 and the estimates for this year are even higher, …..."
Lauren Edwards - View Speech

View all Lauren Edwards (Lab - Rochester and Strood) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 18 Dec 2025
Oral Answers to Questions

"2. What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Crown Prosecution Service’s violence against women and girls strategy 2025 to 2030 on outcomes for victims. ..."
Lauren Edwards - View Speech

View all Lauren Edwards (Lab - Rochester and Strood) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 18 Dec 2025
Oral Answers to Questions

"I thank the Minister for her response. Earlier this week, I attended a local multi-agency roundtable on tackling violence against women to discuss how we can work together better to support victims, and I have reflected on what I heard from a very brave constituent who shared her story. Will …..."
Lauren Edwards - View Speech

View all Lauren Edwards (Lab - Rochester and Strood) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 18 Dec 2025
Oral Answers to Questions

"7. What steps she is taking to clear waterways. ..."
Lauren Edwards - View Speech

View all Lauren Edwards (Lab - Rochester and Strood) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Division Vote (Commons)
17 Dec 2025 - National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Lauren Edwards (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 300 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 312 Noes - 165
Division Vote (Commons)
16 Dec 2025 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Lauren Edwards (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 329 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 341 Noes - 195
Division Vote (Commons)
16 Dec 2025 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Lauren Edwards (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 333 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 118 Noes - 340
Division Vote (Commons)
15 Dec 2025 - Employment Rights Bill - View Vote Context
Lauren Edwards (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 304 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 311 Noes - 96