Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to reduce the length of time that unemployed people spend out of work.

As of the quarter October-December 2017, UK unemployment was 1.47 million people. This is 1.039 million lower than for the quarter February-April 2010.

Jobcentre Plus has a flexible support model to provide support and District Managers have discretion on how to target interventions. The model has three elements: a core regime of regular face-to-face meetings; flexible work coach support; and a flexible menu of support options.

Where Jobcentre Plus District Managers identify gaps in skills or other provision they have discretion to purchase extra support to meet particular needs using the Flexible Support Fund.

Jobcentre Plus work coaches can advise claimants on the localised provision and support available, either by employment sector or skills/employability.