Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that older workers are able to contribute to the economic recovery from the covid-19 outbreak.

DWP has been working with employer organisations – including CIPD, British Chambers of Commerce, ACAS, Local Enterprise Partnerships and the Government Business Champion for Older Workers – to reach small and medium enterprises by hosting webinars to spread important messages about the need to support their older workers in order to retain them in the workforce and maintain their well-being and productivity.

Government has also provided £1.2bn to enhance work search support service in Great Britain, which includes doubling the number of frontline Work Coaches in Jobcentre Plus by the end of the financial year, increasing the flexible support fund, extending the rapid response service, increasing the number of Sector Based Work Academies, and expanding the work and health programme.

Government recognises the importance of planning effectively for the future and in encouraging productive workplace conversations. We therefore support the mid-life MOT and launched a webpage in 2019 which offers support to those considering a change in career in its stock-take across the key areas of work, health and finances.