Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make and assessment of the potential impact of AI related job losses on the level of unemployment benefit.

• The number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits is falling. 1.69 million people claimed unemployment-related benefits in September 2025 – down 73,000 on a year earlier.
• The government is committed to ensuring that people have access to good, meaningful work. This involves adapting to structural changes in the labour market, now and over the longer-term.
• There are suggestions from some firms, mainly in the tech sector, that hiring patterns are changing due to greater use of AI, but at this stage it’s unclear how widespread this is and how much of a factor this is compared to broader factors affecting employment more generally.

• DWP has a strong track record of providing financial help during economic shifts and supporting people to re-skill (where needed) and to re-enter work. We are continuing to deliver our Get Britain Working reforms to ensure we provide people with access to good work and training opportunities fit for the future.
• DWP is also working across government to ensure that we are able to respond to emerging trends within the labour market, and to make the most of opportunities for economic growth, job creation and productivity.