Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing businesses to contact their local Jobcentre Plus directly to advertise vacancies.

The Department can confirm that such an assessment has been made and that direct engagement is not only permitted but actively encouraged.

Employers are already able to contact their local Jobcentre Plus directly through several well-established routes. The Employer Services Line (0800 169 0178) and an online enquiry form connect businesses with local Employer Advisers who provide tailored recruitment support. This includes help with writing job descriptions, promoting vacancies through local jobcentres and social media, arranging use of Jobcentre Plus premises for interviews, and facilitating participation in recruitment events such as job fairs.

For businesses with more complex or large-scale recruitment needs, the Strategic Relationship Team offers bespoke support at a national level. This includes tailored recruitment solutions, vacancy tracking, and coordination with local JobCentre Plus's to ensure effective delivery.

The Department continues to explore ways to improve employer engagement, including making JobCentre Plus premises more welcoming and accessible, and reviewing policies around the use of JobCentre Plus offices for interviews with non-DWP customers.