Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Acknowledged
Committee gathers evidence from DWP on issues from previous scrutiny.
Conclusion
We took evidence from the Department for Work and Pensions (the Department) to follow up on issues arising from our recent scrutiny of a range of topics.1
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's introductory statement and outlines its ongoing reforms to the Post-16 education and skills system, including the transfer of adult skills and careers responsibility to the DWP, the creation of the Jobs and Careers Service, and the integration of the National Careers Service with Jobcentre Plus by October 2026. An update will be published in Spring 2026.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper. The White Paper aims to reform the Post-16 education and skills system so that it supports the development of the skilled workforce and our economy needs. The transfer of responsibility for adult skills and careers from the Department for Education to the Department for Work and Pensions (the department) on 16 September 2025 has created a single government lead on work and training for adults, bringing together employment support and skills development in one place. The Jobs and Careers Service (JCS) will be a new single and universal service, providing a stronger focus on skills and careers. By incorporating its new responsibilities, including into the JCS, the department is creating a more coherent and employment-focussed skills system. A key milestone is the bringing together of the National Careers Service with Jobcentre Plus from 1 October 2026. As the new service is being developed, the department will look to incorporate information on users’ skills and available provision to signpost people to training where they have gaps that need addressing before they can get into or progress at work. The department will publish an update in Spring 2026 in response to the “Get Britain Working: Reforming Jobcentres” (September 2025) report of the Work and Pensions Select Committee. This will set out further detail on how the department plans to integrate skills in the Jobs and Careers Service.