Rachel Reeves MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, following today’s report by the Work and Pensions select committee on effectiveness of Job Centre Plus, said,

“This report shows the Government’s failure to ensure jobseekers have the skills they need to find work is resulting in long-term unemployment and increased costs to the taxpayer.

“Labour would take early action to make sure Jobseekers get the support they need by bringing in a Basic Skills Test, which would see every jobseeker assessed for basic English, maths and IT skills within 6 weeks of claiming benefits.

“Anyone lacking these skills would be offered training to improve their chance of finding a job, training they would have to take up or lose benefits. Labour’s Basic Skills Test will get people back to work and help us to earn our way out of the cost-of-living crisis.”