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Voluntary Work

Answer

The Department recognises that volunteering can play a positive role in improving work-readiness and supporting progression towards employment. Voluntary work can help individuals develop transferable skills, confidence and experience which may help them move closer to employment while also supporting local communities. It can be particularly beneficial for people who have been out of the labour market for some time and are looking to build their skills and strengthen their CV.

Universal Credit is designed to support claimants to enter work, earn more, or prepare for work in the future. The Department therefore encourages voluntary activity where it supports a claimant's progression towards work. Where appropriate, volunteering can be considered as part of a claimant's work search or work preparation activities, provided that claimants continue to take reasonable steps to prepare for, find and move into work.

Moreover, in April, the government introduced landmark legislation to ensure entering employment, or taking up a volunteering opportunity, will not automatically trigger benefit reassessment for claimants on new-style Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, and Universal Credit health element.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

HL3107

Session

2026-27

Subjects

Voluntary work

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk