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Written question asked by Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour) on Thursday, 12 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 February 2026. It was answered by Diana Johnson (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 February 2026 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Connect to Work

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions he has had with prime contractors in the Connect to Work programme on their use of charities and smaller organisations in gaining job and learning outcomes.

Answer

Connect to Work is our voluntary, locally led Supported Employment programme that will help around 300,000 disabled people, people with health conditions and individuals with more complex barriers to employment by the end of the decade, across England and Wales.

Mayors and Local Authorities have been funded to design and deliver local Connect to Work programmes. It is delivered through a higher number of smaller delivery areas than has been the case for recent national DWP contracted employment programmes. This approach aims to support better integration with local services and enable more smaller local organisations to have the opportunity to be involved in delivery.

Areas choose how the programme is delivered, for example, in house or through external providers; and how any external provider is selected. DWP has not mandated the type of provider, but the grant guidance includes the voluntary and charitable sector as examples of potential local partners and supporting organisations. Areas have been encouraged to ensure any delivery organisation has good local knowledge, as well as the ability to deliver Supported Employment.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
113423
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Connect to work
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk