Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to support (a) long-term unemployed and (b) over-50s unemployed people into work.

For those who are long-term unemployed, the Restart Scheme, which went live in July 2021, is providing support to Universal Credit Intensive Work Search Regime claimants and Income Based Jobseekers Allowance claimants. Claimants are considered for the Restart Scheme after claiming for 9 months.

The Restart Scheme is being delivered across England and Wales using 12 Contract Package Areas with providers working with employers, local government, and other partners to deliver tailored support for individuals, breaking down employment barriers that could be holding claimants back from finding work.

The Government also recognises the challenges faced by people aged 50 and over.Therefore, as part of the £500m Plan for Jobs expansion we are funding a new enhanced support package for workers over the age of 50 to help them to stay in or return to work. This offer will ensure that older job seekers receive more intensive, tailored support as part of their Universal Credit claim and will give Work Coaches more time to spend with older job seekers who have recently become unemployed.

The 50PLUS Champions network also provides dedicated support to Work Coaches to enable them to effectively direct suitable support to claimants who are aged 50 and over.