Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if plans exist for the continuation or replacement of the Restart Scheme ahead of its planned end in June 2026.

Government committed at Spending Review to continued employment support for the Long Term Unemployed. DWP have already announced a future employment service for out of work Universal Credit claimants in four eligible groups – long-term unemployed people, young people, lone parents and lead carers, and disadvantaged groups. The estimated go-live date will be in February 2028. Further detail can be found in the pipeline notice, published 2^nd April 2026: Future Employment Support - Find a Tender and market engagement notice, published 28^th April 2026: Future Employment Support - Find a Tender.

Details of any extension to the Restart Scheme contracts will be published on Contracts Finder Restart Scheme - Contracts Finder in the normal way.