Today I finalised my Ministerial visit to Scotland by holding an interesting and informative roundtable with front-line DWP staff from Jobcentres across Glasgow. We collectively discussed what they think is working well on the ground and which policy areas we need to improve. Sessions like these are very significant for me as the Minister for Welfare Delivery because the feedback I receive are perfect for informing future policy decisions.
Meetings like these make me proud of the work we are doing in Jobcentres up and down our country, and the more I speak with work coaches in the Jobcentre Plus (JCP) network, the more I respect and appreciate the significant contribution they make. They are the staff on the frontline of the JCP network and provide the personalised approach which makes Universal Credit effective. It is no longer about signing on. It is about people going to the Jobcentres and being offered real, tailored support to help them to overcome challenges and to get into work. Work coaches offer all claimants, including those unable to find full-time employment, a comprehensive package of support, including skills provision and job search support. They are further supported by specialist expertise, both in-house and external, to help claimants with more complex barriers enter employment. The latest figures show that there are more people in work than ever before, and that over four fifths of jobs created in the past decade have been in full-time roles. However, there is still much progress to be done and there are always further ways of improving the support we provide. I remain committed to continuously improving the support we provide in Jobcentres and I will continue reflecting on the crucial feedback I gain from my visits to DWP staff in Jobcentres.