Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to train job coaches to support workers at risk of losing their jobs from Artificial Intelligence.

AI has potentially transformative benefits for the economy and wider society, and the Government is doing all it can to ensure that the United Kingdom is at the forefront of this technological transition.

The government is actively monitoring the impact AI may cause in the labour market, including job creation and displacement. Where workers are displaced, as you would expect, they will benefit from support from work coaches to find reemployment.

DWP is committed to ensuring that Work Coaches are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to provide tailored support to customers navigating a changing labour market. All Work Coaches undertake a comprehensive learning programme, including induction, consolidation and continuous professional development throughout their careers.

The learning programme is regularly updated to reflect changing customer needs and developments in the labour market, including the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This supports Work Coaches to have informed conversations with customers about emerging employment opportunities, changes in skills demand, and the support available to help people move into or progress in work.

This Government is investing £187 million in digital and AI learning. Every UK adult is eligible for free AI upskilling via the AI Skills Boost, with the ambition of upskilling 10 million workers in AI skills by 2030.

This is in conjunction with a range of wider reskilling opportunities, such as Sector Based Work Academy Programme (SWAPs) which provides opportunities to those who are looking to change career or sectors through providing placements for pre-employment training, a work experience placement and a guaranteed interview for a real job.