DWP trials mobile jobcentres at football matches, retail parks

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is deploying mobile jobcentre vans at football matches, mosques, and retail parks in areas with high unemployment rates to encourage job-seeking. The initiative was recently trialed at Bolton Wanderers Football Club, identified as a location with above-average joblessness. Employment Minister Alison McGovern praised the mobile jobcentre during a visit, stating it exemplifies an inclusive solution to ensure everyone has access to job support. The vans are touring regions such as Flintshire, Denbighshire, and Wrexham in North Wales, with plans to launch additional vans in Scotland. The government's aim is to reduce the number of working-age individuals who are unemployed, currently estimated at 2.8 million due to long-term illness, as part of their broader economic strategy. Alongside these initiatives, there are discussions about potentially implementing stricter conditions for benefit payments.