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Jobcentre Plus: English Language

Answer

[holding answer 28 April 2009]: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the right hon. Member with the information requested.Letter from Ruth Owen:"The Secretary of State has asked Mel Groves to reply direct to your question asking what steps his Department is taking to offer translations of job vacancies advertised at Jobcentre Plus offices which are written in European languages other than English. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mel Groves as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. As Mel Groves is currently unavailable, I am replying in his absence.""Jobcentre Plus is a member of the European Employment Services (EURES) network, which means that we are notified of vacancies across the European Economic Area (EEA). These vacancies can be searched and viewed in Jobcentre Plus offices because of the link between the Jobcentre Plus and EURES websites. The purpose of the link is to give Jobcentre Plus customers a wider pool of vacancies to search from and to help address areas of skill shortage across the EEA.""The vacancies have been notified to the public employment services of the individual countries in the EEA and Jobcentre Plus is not responsible for their content. This is clearly stated on the vacancies in a disclaimer which reads as follows: "This vacancy has been notified by a public employment service outside Great Britain. You should carefully check the terms and conditions of employment before taking up any job offer. Jobcentre Plus is not responsible for the content of this vacancy."""Employers in other EEA countries expect applicants for their vacancies to be able to speak and understand their language. Similarly Jobcentre Plus vacancies appear in the English language when viewed in other EEA countries. As a result, there are no plans to translate these vacancies."

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

492 c859-60W; 271792

Session

2008-09

Subjects

Jobcentres Jobcentre Plus English language Vacancies Translation services

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk