Jobcentre Claimants: Travel Costs

Labour MP Josh Newbury asked the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, about the guidance issued to private contractors working with Jobcentre Plus on reimbursing claimants' travel costs. In his response, Sir Stephen Timms stated that the provider guidance published on gov.uk makes it clear that contractors on all employment programmes must reimburse customers' reasonable travel costs. Newbury followed up, highlighting the case of his constituent Connor, who is out of pocket for taxi fares to weekly or even twice-weekly sessions with a Jobcentre Plus private contractor, which he said last barely 15 minutes and are not helping him reach his goal of becoming a mechanical engineering apprentice. Newbury asked the Minister to review the value of Jobcentre Plus private contracts to both jobseekers and taxpayers. Sir Stephen Timms acknowledged Newbury's concerns, stating that performance is regularly reviewed, and that unlike the previous government, this government wants to publish performance data so that everyone can see what is going on. DUP MP Jim Shannon then intervened, thanking the Minister for his response and stating that this is a big issue in his constituency in Northern Ireland. Shannon asked the Minister to help directly those constituents who have been disadvantaged in this way. In response, Sir Stephen Timms said he is not familiar with the arrangements in Northern Ireland, but in the rest of the UK it is very clear that contractors should either pay for tickets up-front or reimburse claimants very quickly on production of a receipt.