Ben Howlett, the MP for Bath, and the Rt Hon Damian Green MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, visited the Job Centre in Bath yesterday to meet with staff and have a Q&A.
Both Ben and the Minister found the visit extremely informative and were delighted to have the opportunity to hear about the work being done to help people to secure jobs.
Questions from staff raised issues regarding coherent strategies for helping the homeless, those with disabilities, mental health and those looking for apprenticeships.
The issue of mental health and work was a focus as the Government looks for strategies to combat barriers to entering the workplace.
Further to this, there was an opportunity for Ben and the Minister to have a tour of the centre and hear about the progress being made locally.
The unemployment rate in the South West is currently at 4.2%, lower than the national average of 4.9% (ONS data for May-July 2016).
Ben said: “It was wonderful to get a chance to meet the staff of the Job Centre and see the fantastic progress they are making in helping people to secure work.
“I hope we can continue to support their work in Bath and help to enable the most disadvantaged to find employment.”
Rt Hon Damien Green MP said: “Thank you to the team at the Bath Job Centre for rolling out a very successful Universal Credit system.
“It was very useful to listen to their thoughts and views on the government’s policies on the benefits of health from work.”