Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Spring Budget 2023, HC1183, published on 15 March 2023, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the complement of FTE Work Coaches required by his Department to meet the policy decision to increase the individual Administrative Earnings Threshold from the equivalent of 15 hours at National Living Wage to 18 hours.

Work Coaches are vital to getting people into jobs and supporting people to earn more. They are central to a number of the measures announced at Budget, including stepping up Jobcentre support for parents, disabled people and people with health conditions.

We are reviewing our internal plans to ensure we grow our capacity appropriately and effectively, this will include further recruitment to support delivery of these measures.