Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, met work coaches and other DWP staff in Barnet this week to hear about the delivery of the Government’s Plan for Jobs to help people find work after the Covid emergency.
She was shown around the Jobcentreplus premises in Raydean House in New Barnet by the Customer Service Leader for the centre, Rupal Popat. As well as chatting to job coaches, she met a number of employers looking to recruit in her constituency, including Work Works.
“The Chancellor’s Plan for Jobs is working to provide people with skills and job opportunities,” said the Barnet MP, after the visit. “It was really encouraging to hear that Barnet Jobcentreplus are helping large numbers of my constituents get into work,” Theresa continued.
“Young people were disproportionately affected by the Covid lockdown because so many of them work in sectors which were obliged to close their doors, such as hospitality. So I warmly welcome the Kickstart scheme which is creating job opportunities for 18 to 24 year olds by giving employers Government funding to take them on, pay their salaries and train them.”
“Kickstart is part of a wider Plan for Jobs which includes a big investment in traineeships and apprenticeships, as well as doubling the number of work coaches to advise and support job-seekers. I have a longstanding interest in skills and apprenticeships. I have been working to extend apprenticeship opportunities for my constituents.”
“Together with the furlough scheme, these jobs programmes have helped avoid the huge spike upwards in unemployment that many economists forecast when the Covid emergency hit.”
