Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support is available through Jobcentre Plus for Universal Credit claimants who are already in part-time work and wish to retrain or gain qualifications to increase their earnings in Surrey Heath constituency.

In Surrey Heath, Jobcentre Plus supports Universal Credit claimants who are already in and out of work, to explore opportunities to develop their skills, gain relevant qualifications and progress towards higher earnings. Support is personalised to individual circumstances and local labour market supply and demand opportunities.

The Jobcentre network across Surrey has local partnerships with training providers and educational organisations. Through these partnerships, claimants are connected to upskilling and vocational training opportunities, including Skills Bootcamps in the Industrial Growth sectors of digital and green energy, and logistics. JCS has good relationships with Surrey County Council, and their investment in their Skills, Training & Employment Portal enables access to a host of opportunities and support across the County by enabling all residents to access information about the skills they need and the jobs available. Jobcentres also work with local providers and employers to deliver Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), and commission basic skills training covering literacy, numeracy, and digital skills.

The DWP Careers Service was launched on 6 October 2026, bringing the skills expertise of the previous National Careers Service into jobcentres, giving an integrated support offer for citizens in and out of work.

The Flexible Support Fund (FSF) is administered by Jobcentres and can help eligible Universal Credit claimants overcome specific financial barriers to moving into or closer to work. This can include support with training fees not funded elsewhere, as well as other support. The fund is discretionary and payments are made subject to individual circumstances.