Mobile Jobcentres to offer employment support

Mobile Jobcentres are set to take to the road around Britain, offering expert support on job searching and training opportunities.

The vans will appear outside leisure centres, supermarkets and even football stadiums, bringing support to the centre of communities.

Following successful trials in the Scottish Highlands, North and Mid Wales and Greater Manchester, the vans will now visit six new areas. After testing their impact further, the schemes could be rolled out more extensively.

Inside the vans, people can meet with a DWP work coach who will offer expert support with job searching and training opportunities.

The areas being added to the scheme are Wakefield, North Nottinghamshire, Barrow-in-Furness, Blackpool, Clevedon and Rhondda Cynon Taf/Bridgend.

The mark the roll out of the extension, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden visited the Bolton Mobile Jobcentre. Since its launch in January 2025, the van has already supported nearly 800 customers.

Bolton has one of the highest inactivity rates in the North West, at 29.2 per cent compared to the national average of 20.8 per cent.

Data shows that just over half of customers visiting the vans are not in receipt of benefits.

Work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden said: "We want to break down the barriers that stop people from finding good work, and that means meeting people where they are.

"Jobcentres on Wheels are doing exactly that – bringing employment support into the heart of communities.

"That’s why we’re building on the success we’ve already seen, expanding the service so we can unlock opportunities for even more people across the country."

Ben Lawton, CEO of Bolton Wanderers in the Community, said: "Here at BWitC we understand the drivers behind the increase in the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). The relational, holistic, community-based support delivered in trusted settings support those in our community facing these challenges. Working alongside Bolton Jobcentre and their Jobcentre Van is key to our Vision of One Bolton Connected in Success."