PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
Jobcentres: Outreach - 16 December 2024 (Commons/Commons Chamber)
Debate Detail
Contributions from Andrew Western, are highlighted with a yellow border.
Mr Lee Dillon
Newbury
14:58:49
Andrew Western
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Jobcentres work with a range of external providers to offer a wealth of outreach support. In Berkshire, this includes work coach support for customers with complex needs delivered by Reading college, outreach delivered by the Slough homelessness team and at Windsor Homeless Project locations, and employment support delivered by the probation hub in Reading. Outreach work is something that we not only strongly support, but actively encourage.
Mr Dillon
The Minister has named a number of projects in Berkshire, none of which falls within my constituency of Newbury. Would he welcome community interest companies such as Lambourn Junction hosting jobcentres in their facilities to make sure that people in rural constituencies such as mine have access to a jobcentre, rather than having to travel into the main town centre for that support?
15:00:00
Andrew Western
I would very much welcome such an initiative being brought forward in the hon. Member’s constituency of Newbury. He may also be pleased to know that there is the potential for a youth hub to open in Newbury, similar to that in Oxford, which was grant funded and is already in operation.
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