Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help older members of the workforce (a) adapt to and (b) retrain in an evolving job market.

As part of the 23 September Growth Plan announcement, the Chancellor announced funding for additional work coach support to over 50s. This will mean more jobseekers across Great Britain receive intensive, tailored support at jobcentres to help them get into, and progress in work, boosting their earnings ahead of retirement.

This funding builds on the existing Spending Review settlement of £20m over the next three years for a new enhanced offer for people aged 50 and over to remain in, and return to work.

This Government is committed to adult education and training and the Department for Education has already put in place a wide range of programmes for adults to gain the skills they need for employment, ensuring they have the opportunities to study, upskill and reskill at different points in their life.

We invest in education and skills training for adults through the Adult Education Budget (£1.34bn in 2022/23), we are ensuring that apprenticeships are responsive to the different needs of individuals, employers, and the economy, including ensuring older people can access apprenticeships to re-train or upskill.

We have also launched the £2.4b National Skills Fund, which is a significant investment to deliver new opportunities to generations of adults who may have been previously left behind. From 2025 will also introduce a lifelong loan entitlement, enabling more flexible and modular study across higher and further education.