Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of inadequate public transport as a barrier to employment in Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North constituency.

Assessments of local transport infrastructure are led by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), which is responsible for allocating its £2.4 billion Transport for City Regions funding settlement through to 2031/32.

DWP Jobcentres take a place based approach when supporting customers into work, considering local labour market conditions and barriers to employment, including transport.

Jobcentres work closely with local employers, offer Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), and can provide Flexible Support Fund (FSF) assistance towards travel, childcare and other work-related costs where appropriate.

Through this support, Jobcentres help customers overcome barriers to employment, including transport-related challenges.