Every parliamentary written question tabled by James McMurdock this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 41–60 of 193 · Department for Work and Pensions
If he will hold discussions with Governments in a) Australia and b) Canada on the potential for negotiating updated reciprocal social security agreements in relation to the uprating of the UK State Pension.
There are no plans to hold discussions with any country on Reciprocal Agreements that include uprating of the State Pension.
What proportion of Universal Credit claimants are assessed as having a) negligible and b) negative disposal income after housing and energy costs.
We do not hold information on the disposable income of households after essential expenditure including energy costs. Working-age benefits covered by the Secretary of State’s statutory review will be increased by 3.8% from April, in line with the increase in the consumer prices index in the year to September 2025. The Universal Credit Act 2025 means that the Universal Credit standard allowance will be up-rated by 3.8%, followed by a further 2.3% from April.
What estimate he has made of the number of households with less than £50 per month in disposable income after essential expenditure.
We do not hold information on the disposable income of households after essential expenditure including energy costs. Working-age benefits covered by the Secretary of State’s statutory review will be increased by 3.8% from April, in line with the increase in the consumer prices index in the year to September 2025. The Universal Credit Act 2025 means that the Universal Credit standard allowance will be up-rated by 3.8%, followed by a further 2.3% from April.
Whether he plans to introduce transitional arrangements for apprentices currently undertaking Level 6 programmes who had planned to progress to Level 7 under the previous funding framework.
This government has a driving mission to break down barriers to opportunity and is determined to tackle the 40% fall in apprenticeship starts by young people aged under 25 that we’ve seen over the last decade. Since January 2026, the government no longer funds level 7 apprenticeships, equivalent to master’s degree level, except for young apprentices under the age of 22, and those under 25 who are care leavers or have an Education, Health and Care Plan. This will enable apprenticeships opportunities to be rebalanced towards young people and create more opportunities for those entering the labour market, who need skills and training to get on in their careers. Level 7 apprentices that started before 1 January 2026 will continue to be funded through to completion. The government is encouraging more employers to invest in upskilling their staff aged over 22 to level 7 where it delivers a benefit to the business and the individual. It will be for employers to determine the most appropriate training. The department has published guidance on privately funded apprenticeships, which will enable employers to privately fund level 7 apprenticeships for staff aged over 22: Privately funded apprenticeships: rules and guidance - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab). There are also alternative training options available to employers at level 7 including non-apprenticeship routes.
What estimate he has made of the number of Level 6 apprentices who were intending to progress to Level 7 apprenticeships who will no longer be eligible.
This government has a driving mission to break down barriers to opportunity and is determined to tackle the 40% fall in apprenticeship starts by young people aged under 25 that we’ve seen over the last decade. Since January 2026, the government no longer funds level 7 apprenticeships, equivalent to master’s degree level, except for young apprentices under the age of 22, and those under 25 who are care leavers or have an Education, Health and Care Plan. This will enable apprenticeships opportunities to be rebalanced towards young people and create more opportunities for those entering the labour market, who need skills and training to get on in their careers. Level 7 apprentices that started before 1 January 2026 will continue to be funded through to completion. The government is encouraging more employers to invest in upskilling their staff aged over 22 to level 7 where it delivers a benefit to the business and the individual. It will be for employers to determine the most appropriate training. The department has published guidance on privately funded apprenticeships, which will enable employers to privately fund level 7 apprenticeships for staff aged over 22: Privately funded apprenticeships: rules and guidance - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab). There are also alternative training options available to employers at level 7 including non-apprenticeship routes.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of participation in Level 7 apprenticeships on skills shortages in regulated professions.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 13 June 2025 to Question UIN 57098.
Pursuant to Answer of 12 January 2026 to Question 102600, what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of British citizens who have studied a course funded by the Adult Skills Fund since its creation.
The information requested is not held.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of age-based funding changes for Level 7 apprenticeships on uptake of those apprenticeships.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 13 June 2025 to Question UIN 57098.
Whether he plans to continue funding the International Labour Organisation.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) plays an important role in setting international labour standards and holding those that fail to uphold international labour rights accountable. The UK was a founding member of the ILO; the Government is committed to maintaining its membership.The UK’s assessed annual contribution is based on the standard United Nations system of assessed contributions applied to all 187 ILO member states, broadly linked to relative levels of GDP. In 2025–26 the total UK contribution totalled £14.76 million, the majority of which is classed within the UK’s Official Development Assistance. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ensures that the UK financial contribution to the ILO is used effectively, demonstrates value for money and aligns with the UK’s national objectives. Through our permanent membership of the ILO Governing Body, we undertake robust scrutiny of the ILO’s budgetary proposals and administration to increase the impact, effectiveness and delivery of the Organisation.
What estimate he has made of the expected contribution to the International Labour Organisation in 2025-26.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) plays an important role in setting international labour standards and holding those that fail to uphold international labour rights accountable. The UK was a founding member of the ILO; the Government is committed to maintaining its membership.The UK’s assessed annual contribution is based on the standard United Nations system of assessed contributions applied to all 187 ILO member states, broadly linked to relative levels of GDP. In 2025–26 the total UK contribution totalled £14.76 million, the majority of which is classed within the UK’s Official Development Assistance. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ensures that the UK financial contribution to the ILO is used effectively, demonstrates value for money and aligns with the UK’s national objectives. Through our permanent membership of the ILO Governing Body, we undertake robust scrutiny of the ILO’s budgetary proposals and administration to increase the impact, effectiveness and delivery of the Organisation.
What recent assessment he has made of the value for money of the £50 million funding given to the International Labour Organisation since 2020.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) plays an important role in setting international labour standards and holding those that fail to uphold international labour rights accountable. The UK was a founding member of the ILO; the Government is committed to maintaining its membership.The UK’s assessed annual contribution is based on the standard United Nations system of assessed contributions applied to all 187 ILO member states, broadly linked to relative levels of GDP. In 2025–26 the total UK contribution totalled £14.76 million, the majority of which is classed within the UK’s Official Development Assistance. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ensures that the UK financial contribution to the ILO is used effectively, demonstrates value for money and aligns with the UK’s national objectives. Through our permanent membership of the ILO Governing Body, we undertake robust scrutiny of the ILO’s budgetary proposals and administration to increase the impact, effectiveness and delivery of the Organisation.
What proportion of staff in his Department have (a) office-based, (b) hybrid and (c) remote-working contracts.
Due to the operational nature of the department, a significant proportion of DWP roles — particularly customer-facing and telephony positions—are required to be carried out from the office to ensure customers receive consistent and timely support. Hybrid working is available only to colleagues whose job roles are able to support it and is offered on a noncontractual basis. Eligible staff are expected to spend at least 60% of their working time in the office, supporting effective teamwork, leadership visibility and high quality service delivery. In line with Cabinet Office guidance, contractual homeworking is usually restricted to disabled employees for whom it is a reasonable adjustment, which the Equality Act 2010 obliges us to implement. As of 31 January 2026, 1.8% of paid staff are designated as Contracted Homeworkers.
What information his Department holds on the proportion of graduates that enter graduate employment schemes within one year of completing their studies.
We do not capture data on the number of graduates entering graduate schemes or graduate-level employment. The latest published DfE data shows that the unemployment rate for graduates is lower than non-graduates. A link to this data can be found here.(opens in a new tab)
What steps is he taking to help ensure JobCentre Plus provides effective support to graduates seeking graduate-level employment.
We do not capture data on the number of graduates entering graduate schemes or graduate-level employment. The latest published DfE data shows that the unemployment rate for graduates is lower than non-graduates. A link to this data can be found here.(opens in a new tab)
What proportion of graduates supported by Jobcentre Plus enter roles classified as graduate-level employment.
We do not capture data on the number of graduates entering graduate schemes or graduate-level employment. The latest published DfE data shows that the unemployment rate for graduates is lower than non-graduates. A link to this data can be found here.(opens in a new tab)
What steps he is taking to increase awareness among young people of career opportunities in British manufacturing industries.
The Government is taking a range of steps to increase awareness among young people of the diverse and rewarding career opportunities available in British manufacturing. This forms part of our wider efforts to reduce the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Promoting the Youth Guarantee, the Government’s commitment to ensure young people have access to support to find a job, training or an apprenticeship, is a key element of this approach. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) promotes careers in manufacturing to young people through a range of national and local activity, including Jobcentre-led manufacturing-focused careers sessions, employer talks and jobs boards focused on apprenticeships and early careers roles. Work Coaches are also being upskilled to help them confidently challenge outdated myths and discuss modern manufacturing with young people. We work closely with industry bodies such as Make UK and the Institute for Grocery Distributors, to support young people to better understand the breadth of manufacturing careers available. In addition, we encourage employers to directly engage with schools and colleges, and work closely with the National Careers Service to provide clear information on routes into the sector. We also promote pathways into manufacturing, including government skills interventions such as Sector-based Work Academy Programmes and Skills Bootcamps, and apprenticeships. National Manufacturing Day (NMD) further supports these efforts by opening up factories and workplaces to schools, colleges, and local communities. Through activities such as factory tours, demonstrations and employer-led talks young people can see firsthand what modern manufacturing looks like and the range of roles available, including apprenticeships and graduate routes. The Department for Education (DfE) supports NMD by promoting it to schools and parents and providing materials on education and training routes into the sector for school leavers. Finally, DWP hosts regular Jobs and Careers Fairs, with planned events throughout 2026, designed to support young people, particularly those who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET, to explore opportunities across different sectors, including manufacturing. These events enable young people to access advice and training and engage directly with employers.
What steps he is taking to support training and skills pathways for British manufacturing industries.
DWP works closely with industry bodies such as Make UK, the Manufacturing Technologies Association and the Institute for Grocery Distributors to support jobseekers to better understand the many career opportunities available in manufacturing. DWP also promotes pathways into manufacturing to jobseekers, including skills interventions such as Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) and Skills Bootcamps, alongside paid employment routes such as Apprenticeships. Between April 2021 and December 2025, DWP delivered 16,080 SWAP starts in the manufacturing sector.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of graduate schemes in supporting graduate-level employment.
Graduate schemes are designed and operated by individual employers and are not overseen or monitored by DWP. As such, DWP does not hold a central assessment of the adequacy of these employer‑run schemes. Although we do not capture data on the adequacy of graduate schemes, the latest published DfE data shoes the unemployment rate for graduates is lower than non-graduates. A link to this data can be found here. DWP’s role is to support all jobseekers, including graduates, into work through Jobcentre Plus and wider programmes; departments and employers are responsible for the design and evaluation of their own graduate schemes.
Pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Expansion of support scheme to help thousands of people back into work, published on 20 January 2026, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people with health conditions in the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency who will be helped back into work as a result of the WorkWell programme.
WorkWell will be rolled out across all of England backed by up to £259 million over the next three years. WorkWell gives funding to local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to lead, design and deliver integrated work and health support that meets the needs of working age disabled people and those with health conditions in their communities. Management information from the pilot can be found at: WorkWell Pilot Management Information from 1 October 2024 to 30 November 2025 - GOV.UK An independent consortium of evaluators will carry out a national evaluation to measure the effectiveness of the WorkWell pilot, using surveys, interviews and econometric measures of success. The final evaluation report is estimated to be available in Autumn 2028.
Pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Expansion of support scheme to help thousands of people back into work, published on 20 January 2026, what proportion of people supported by the WorkWell pilot have been able to earn a sufficient income to no longer require support from universal credit.
WorkWell will be rolled out across all of England backed by up to £259 million over the next three years. WorkWell gives funding to local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to lead, design and deliver integrated work and health support that meets the needs of working age disabled people and those with health conditions in their communities. Management information from the pilot can be found at: WorkWell Pilot Management Information from 1 October 2024 to 30 November 2025 - GOV.UK An independent consortium of evaluators will carry out a national evaluation to measure the effectiveness of the WorkWell pilot, using surveys, interviews and econometric measures of success. The final evaluation report is estimated to be available in Autumn 2028.