Employment Schemes: Older People
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the finding that Additional Work Coach Time for Universal Credit claimants aged 50 and over does not have a statistically significant impact on employment outcomes; and what alternative approaches his Department is considering to help improve outcomes for jobseekers.
Answered by Dame Diana Johnson
Work helps everyone play active and fulfilling roles in society while building financial security for retirement, and this government recognises the wealth of skills and experiences that midlife workers bring both to the workplace and the economy. DWP policies, such as 50PLUS Champions and Additional Work Coach Time for customers aged 50 and over, form part of a wide-ranging strategy that promotes age-inclusive employment practices, flexible working, and progression and career development.
The department takes seriously the findings from the Evaluation evidence from policies targeted at claimants aged 50 plus - GOV.UK published on 28 May, which evaluated the effectiveness of Additional Work Coach Time, 50PLUS Champions and the digital Midlife MOT.
Going forward, as part of our plans to Get Britain Working and create a Jobs and Careers Service, we are reforming employment support to make it more inclusive and better tailored to individuals. This includes strengthening the support we offer to people aged 50 and over to help them move back into good, meaningful work and progress in work. We will consider the evaluation findings as part of this.
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