Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to improve support for unemployed claimants aged over 50 seeking to return to work.

Work helps everyone play active and fulfilling roles in society while building financial security for retirement. The Department is therefore committed to supporting workers over the age of 50 through a wide-ranging strategy that promotes inclusion, flexibility, and progression. This includes promoting age-inclusive practices, supporting workplace health, policy and service reform and removing age related barriers to employment. The Department has also signed up to and actively promotes the Age-Friendly Employer Pledge, encouraging employers to adopt flexible working, age-positive hiring, and career development.

The Government recognises that workers over 50 bring a wealth of skills and experience both to the workplace and the economy. We are committed to reforming labour market support, taking lessons from the current DWP service to those over 50, and the experience of 50PLUS Champions, to ensure that future support is reflective of their individual needs.

We published our Get Britain Working White Paper on 26 November 2024. This set out our plans to reform Jobcentre Plus and create a new Jobs and Careers Service that will enable everyone, including claimants over 50, to access support to find good, meaningful work, and help them progress in work or increase their earnings.

Our new service includes an enhanced focus on skills and careers advice and will provide support that is better tailored and personalised. We will embed the principles of accessibility and inclusivity into the design of the Jobs and Careers Service throughout the entire customer journey, acknowledging diverse support needs, including those of individuals over 50.