Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the disparity in unemployment rates among those of Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnic backgrounds by comparison to those from white ethnic backgrounds.

There are currently 6.1 million individuals from an ethnic minority background in employment in April to June 2025. This is a record high and an increase of 520,000 on the year. However, there is more to do.

The Department for Work and Pension’s Jobcentre offer provides a range of options to those seeking employment, including face-to-face time with work coaches and interview assistance.

The Get Britain Working White Paper details the biggest reforms to employment support for a generation backed by a £240 million investment. The reforms to employment support will help tackle rising economic inactivity levels, support people into good work, and create an inclusive labour market in which everybody, regardless of their background, can participate and progress in work.

Our place-based toolkit helps Jobcentre Districts build a strong evidence base of customer characteristics, employers and partners, labour market trends and funding opportunities. We are working with local goverment and mayoral authorities to ensure provision is tailored to the local populations and lablour makets, including every area has a local Get Britain Working Plan.