Local MP meets staff at Witham Job Centre supporting people into employment and skills development
Priti Patel, MP for Witham, met with the staff at Witham Job Centre to see the work they are doing to support people back into work and employment.
Priti, who previously served as the Employment Minister in the Department for Work and Pensions between 2015 and 2016, introduced the Work Coach scheme and revolutionised the benefits system with the introduction of Universal Credit. During the visit, Priti was able to see first hand the incredible work that Work Coaches in the local community are doing to support people into employment. The most recent figures published show that in July 2024 there were 1,665 claimants in Witham constituency, which was 2.7% of the population aged 16-64, with the equivalent UK claimant rate was 3.9%. These encouraging figures show how buoyant the local economy is and with the majority of people in the constituency working for small and medium sized businesses.
Speaking after her visit Priti said: “It was wonderful to visit Witham Job Centre to see the great work that the staff and particularly the Work Coaches are doing to support local people find employment and support themselves and their families. I have seen first hand how the Work Coach scheme has turned around peoples lives and improved their fortunes through stable employment and giving them the skills to be attractive to employers. Essex is the county of opportunity, and it is so important that we support business and make it easier to employ and invest in local people to improve our local work force and economy.”