Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps she has taken with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reduce the unemployment gap for Black, Asian and ethnic minority people in (a) Newport West, (b) Wales and (c) the UK.

The Government is committed to supporting people from all backgrounds, including those from ethnic minorities, to move into work. It provides a national offer of support ensuring that no matter where they live, all customers receive the help they need, when they need it.

Our Job Centre Plus network offers tailored interventions which allow Work Coaches to adapt their approach to suit each customer’s needs. Our Plan for Jobs Programme protects, supports and creates jobs, targeting young people, the long term unemployed, and those in need of new training and skills. It includes the Kickstart Scheme, an expanded youth offer, and the expansion of the Work and Health Programme, all offering new support to jobseekers, including those from ethnic minority backgrounds.

We also have a national programme of mentoring circles, involving employers offering specialised support to unemployed, ethnic minority jobseekers.