Welfare reform minister wants job seekers to improve language course take-up

People who claim jobseeker’s allowance but lack English skills will be strongly encouraged to take language classes, welfare reform minister Jim Murphy said today in a speech to think-tank the Work Foundation.

From April, Jobcentre Plus will incorporate improving language skills for those who lack them into jobseekers agreements, which all jobseeker’s allowance claimants must sign.

Murphy said current uptake of language courses for job seekers with language difficulties was poor, amid evidence that it was a barrier to work for 40,000 people.

The welfare reform minister said: “We need to raise our game in matching those with poor language skills to the training they need in order not just to work, but to progress in work and gain sustainable employment.”