Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether (a) employers and (b) his Department pays travel expenses for participants in the Work Programme.

It is the responsibility of Work Programme providers to pay a participant’s travel costs as travel expenses are included within the funding received from DWP as part of the overall contract package. Before starting a work placement the provider should discuss with the participant the practical arrangements for getting to and from the employer, including reimbursement of travel expenses.