Written question asked by Jonathan Ashworth (Labour) on Monday, 12 December 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 December 2022 (named day). It was answered by Guy Opperman (Conservative) on Monday, 19 December 2022 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Employment Services: Costs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the report from the National Audit Office on Employment Support, published on 9 June 2021, which estimated the cost of advisers and work coaches providing support to claimants in jobcentres in 2020-21 at £689 million, if he will make an estimate on the same basis of the cost of advisers and work coaches providing this type of support for the last five financial years for which data is available.

Answer

The year end estimate for the cost of advisors and work coaches is £951m for 2021/22.

The costs for the previous four years were £689m, £570m, £564m, £542m.

Secondary information