Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the department has made of the causes of the higher unemployment-related benefit claimant rate in Leicester East compared to the national UK average; and what targeted support is being provided to reduce this disparity.

The Department for Work and Pensions offers a range of employment support. This includes the ‘Find a Job’ website, financial support through the Flexible Support Fund to help with interviews or starting work, and tailored, flexible support through Jobcentre Plus. Alongside targeted job-search support, Work Coaches offer personalised advice to help individuals secure roles which reflect their skills, qualifications and prior experience.

Where appropriate, Work Coaches identify skill gaps and signpost jobseekers to relevant training and provision, such as Skills Bootcamps, apprenticeships, sector-based work academy programmes, and free courses for jobs, as well as essential English, maths and digital skills.

For those who have been on Universal Credit for 6 months or more, the Restart Scheme provides 12 months of more intensive support, including bespoke action plans.

Possible factors contributing to unemployment in Leicester East include:

• Large number of new residents that have either no work experience or struggles to communicate effectively in English.
• An increase in young people who were students, that have now graduated, or those that are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Additional support in Leicester East includes:

• Tailored skills and careers support through partnership working with the National Careers Service.
• Promotion of local apprenticeship opportunities via the One Stop Shop portal and apprenticeship hubs.
• A co-located "one stop shop" offering employment, skills, ESOL and complex-needs support through partners including Connexions and Leicester Adult Skills & Learning.
• Strong use of Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), which have helped over 2,300 people across Leicester and Leicestershire secure placements.
• Enhanced support for young people, particularly those not in education, employment or training (NEET), through collaboration between Jobcentres, Connexions, local authorities and Leicester City FC.
• The Leicester City Youth Hub provides employability, training, wellbeing and mentoring support, including tailored help for care leavers, with input from local employers and community organisations.