Oral Answers to Questions

Ronnie Cowan Excerpts
Monday 13th May 2024

(6 months, 1 week ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jo Churchill Portrait Jo Churchill
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I am sure I speak for the whole House when I join my hon. Friend in sending our condolences to the family and friends of her predecessor.

Our employment relation teams are working hard with local employers to match customers to the vacancies in my hon. Friend’s businesses. We are building skills, working with sector-based work academy programmes and boot camps, supporting people with a generous increased childcare offer of up to £1,000 for one child and £1,700 for two, and helping people with access to travel. For those on the health journey, later this year we will roll out our WorkWell programme across England, including in areas in the south-west.

Ronnie Cowan Portrait Ronnie Cowan (Inverclyde) (SNP)
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On specific days, jobcentres have been closed due to ongoing industrial action. Can the Minister assure me that anybody who misses an appointment due to that action will not be sanctioned?

Jo Churchill Portrait Jo Churchill
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We will always take a reasonable view and make sure that unavoidable circumstances such as those the hon. Gentleman speaks of will be taken into account when talking to customers.