Written question asked by Nick de Bois (Conservative) on Friday, 28 November 2014, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 December 2014. It was answered by Esther McVey (Conservative) on Friday, 5 December 2014 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Jobcentres

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department issues to jobcentres on their obligation to provide interpreter services.

Answer

To meet the Department’s duties under Equality Act 2010 we make suitable provision to communicate with claimants and customers who do not speak English or Welsh (for people residing in Wales), or who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired. We have policy and procedures in place for staff to provide an interpreter for claimants and customers where there is a requirement to do so.

The Department has issued internal communications to staff on Interpreting Services and has embedded the policy and procedures into internal guidance. Staff use this guidance to know how to recognise when a customer or claimant is in need of an interpreter and how to make the appropriate arrangements.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 216362
Session: 2014-15
Subjects: Jobcentres Interpreters
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Jobcentres

Secondary information

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