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 provide targeted employment support in Leicester East constituency.

In Leicester East, Jobcentre Plus works closely with local partners to provide targeted support for groups facing additional barriers to employment. This includes dedicated youth employability support through the city’s Connexions Hub and Leicester City FC’s Youth Hub, which your constituents can access, alongside outreach activity in community settings such as day centres and libraries. Support includes personalised employment advice, access to skills and training opportunities, apprenticeship signposting, and specialist help for disabled people, care leavers and those with complex needs.

The department forecasts customer cohort volumes to anticipate the level of support and work coach resource required. Work Coaches offer personalised advice to help individuals secure roles that reflect their skills, qualifications and prior experience, alongside targeted job-search support. Where appropriate, Work Coaches also identify any skills gaps and signpost jobseekers to relevant training and provision.

For those who have been on Universal Credit for 6 months or more, the Restart Scheme provides 12 months of personalised and tailored support to help them move into work. The scheme is delivered across England and Wales.

The Government is investing an additional £2.5 billion by 2029 into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy.

For those disabled people, individuals with long-term health conditions and people with more complex barriers to employment who need intensive, specialist support, Connect to Work, our £1 billion voluntary Supported Employment programme, is available across England and Wales. It will deliver tailored support to around 300,000 by the end of the decade.

Learners in all areas of England, including Leicester East, may benefit from ASF-funded provision where eligible. This can include English, maths, essential digital skills, employability provision, sector-based training and Free Courses for Jobs, helping adults to develop the skills needed to progress into employment or improve their prospects in the labour market.