Select committee: Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 20
First Report - DWP’s preparations for changes in the world of work
Published 29 Jun 2021
Paragraph 107
Addressed to Department for Work and Pensions
Work and Pensions Committee DWP’s preparations for changes in the world of work All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
In written evidence, DWP said that it intends to expand its skills offer. In response to this report, it should set out its plans in detail. In particular, it should explain how its offer will focus on the skills for which there is increased demand, particularly digital and AI skills. It should ensure that its offer is not just aimed at people who are in the early stages of their career, but at older workers who may also want or need to retrain.
From: Work and Pensions Committee, First Report - DWP’s preparations for changes in the world of work (HC 216), paragraph 107, 29 June 2021
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 12 November 2021 (deadline 29 August 2021).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government responds mainly by describing existing cross-departmental work, with BEIS, DfE and the ONS cited for several areas, and says it has no plans for Universal Credit claimant markers.
- On the recommended labour market strategy, DWP says it is "working with other departments, particularly DfE and BEIS", and that BEIS "is the department with responsibility for employment rights".
- On the Skills and Employment Survey, it says it is "solely a decision for the academics and ESRC" whether the survey runs again, rather than committing DWP funding.
- On assistive technology, the Disability Unit "will invest up to £1m in 2021 to 2022" in a new Centre for Assistive and Accessible Technology, with findings to the Unit "by March 2022" and progress reported by summer 2022.
- On paternity leave reform, it says BEIS is analysing survey data and 2019 consultation responses, and that this "will inform government policy on parental leave and pay going forward".