Jobcentre Plus and National Careers Service: Merger

Baroness Stedman-Scott Excerpts

Thursday 10th September 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Stedman-Scott]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made on merging Job Centre Plus and the National Careers Service and what the costs will be.

[The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Sherlock) (Lab)]

My Lords, we are on track to merge the National Careers Service and Jobcentre Plus in England from 1 October 2026. The current annual cost to outsource the National Careers Service community-based contracts is £40 million. The cost of delivering the new service will depend on the number of employees who join the DWP in October and on decisions about transforming the service as part of the wider jobs and careers service programme.

[Baroness Stedman-Scott (Con)]

My Lords, Sense has released a report this morning which states that 68% of disabled people say that the welfare system does not have high aspirations for them. Two-thirds said that Jobcentre Plus did not help them overcome the barriers they face and 72% found it difficult to look for work because there were few jobs that met their needs as disabled people. Can the Minister tell the House how the merger of Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service will ensure that disabled people get the help that they need to move to meaningful employment?