Unemployment: Government Assistance
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the increase in the unemployment rate to 5 per cent in the first quarter of 2026; what estimate his Department has made of the number of additional people expected to become unemployed over the next 12 months; and what steps the Government is taking to support people back into work in sectors experiencing the sharpest decline in vacancies, including hospitality and retail.
Answered by Dame Diana Johnson
The unemployment rate has fallen 0.2%pts on the quarter to 5.0%.
We work closely with employers in sectors such as hospitality and retail to help people move into work, including where vacancy levels have reduced. This is delivered through a consistent employer led approach focused on improving access to jobs, strengthening skills and supporting recruitment. For example, there have been 14,620 hospitality Sector-Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) starts over the past two years. Hospitality SWAPs are pre-employment training courses designed to equip jobseekers with the skills needed for hospitality roles, including work experience and a guaranteed job interview.
We have also significantly increased the Hospitality Support Fund, with £10 million funding over three years. This fund will aim to help over 1000 pubs to diversify their offer, improve efficiency and productivity in the sector; and support people who are furthest from the labour market to move into jobs in hospitality. Ministers continue to engage closely with industry through forums such as the Retail and Hospitality Sector Councils, including on skills, focusing on long-term resilience.
These initiatives are part of broader efforts to support sectors including retail and hospitality and help jobseekers find meaningful employment.
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