Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what long term proposals they have to tackle any unemployment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

We know this is a worrying time for people and we stand ready to support anyone impacted by job loss. In response to COVID-19 we have established an alternative service to our usual face-to-face offer. People will be able to access redundancy help and job search advice on the Department’s new Job Help campaign website (www.jobhelp.dwp.gov.uk). There is also information on gov.uk and updated information packs provided to employers to help them signpost employees to the support that is available. The support includes:

• connecting people to jobs in the labour market;
• helping with job search including CV writing, interview skills, where to find jobs and how to apply for them;
• helping to identify transferable skills and skills gaps (linked to the local labour market); and
• advising what benefits they may get and how to claim.

The Rapid Response Service is co-ordinated nationally by the National Employer and Partnership Team and managed by Jobcentre Plus. Delivery partners include the National Careers Service, local training providers, employers, HM Revenue & Customs, Money Advice Service and the skills bodies in England.

These services are offered by equivalents in the Devolved Administrations: PACE (Scotland) and ReAct (Wales). Redundancy support in Northern Ireland is devolved with separate funding and delivery arrangements where no partner support is available