Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of employers failing to inform unsuccessful applicants of the outcome of their job applications on the ability of those applicants to seek alternative employment.

The government recognises concerns raised by young people who contributed to Alan Milburn's interim review of the rise in the number of 16 to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Many reported submitting large numbers of job applications but receiving either no response or only automated rejections.

The government is considering these concerns and will respond to any recommendations arising from Alan Milburn's final review once it is published.

The government is not aware of any jurisdiction that legally requires employers to respond individually to every job application and has no current plans to introduce such a requirement. However, applicants may wish to request feedback from employers where appropriate. Employers must also comply with their obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and must not unlawfully discriminate during recruitment or selection processes.