Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to help remove requirements for Ukrainian refugees to provide references for previous employment when applying for a job.

DWP is aware of the challenges those fleeing Ukraine may face in providing references for previous employment.

Jobcentres do not place requirements on customers to provide references when applying for vacancies. However, to address the challenges Ukrainian citizens may face in providing references for previous employment, DWP are working with BEIS to encourage employers and sector regulators to consider adopting a pragmatic approach to requirements for job references and checkable work histories for Ukrainian evacuees.