South Shropshire MP hopes Employment Minister will visit South Shropshire amid concerns over employment support

Employment Minister, Alison McGovern has proposed a meeting with South Shropshire MP Stuart Anderson after the announcement of the Government's 'Jobcentre on wheels' service which has been launched in a move to "drive up employment" across Great Britain.

Mobile Jobcentre vans, staffed by work coaches, will visit local communities to offer support with job searching and training opportunities. 

The scheme has been piloted in parts of Wales including Wrexham and in Bolton. 

Mr Anderson said he is "particularly interested" in the new service and hopes it will visit South Shropshire.

He said that Shropshire faces "unique challenges" in the delivery of services like employment support due to factors including rural sparsity, distance, and connectivity issues.

The Conservative MP has also claimed that youth unemployment has risen in South Shropshire since the General Election. 

Mr Anderson wrote to the Employment Minister in November to express his disappointment at a 'lack' of mention for rural areas in the Government's Employment Support White Paper.

In his letter, the MP said: "I am disappointed that the document only refers to rural areas once, where the extra support envisaged is delivered via a mayoral combined authority. As recently reported by the Institute for Government (IfG), almost 30 million people, or half the population, live outside these areas. 

"Moreover, almost half of the funding - £125 million - will be spent in just eight areas. Meanwhile, only £15 million will be available to areas that have not been named as 'trailblazers.'"

In a response, Alison McGovern said she "absolutely" agrees that "everyone should be able to access the skills and training".

The Minister also proposed a meeting with the South Shropshire MP, adding: "I would like to meet with you to hear more about your constituency and to connect with the local DWP teams that serve your area."

And, Mr Anderson hopes the Employment Minister will visit his constituency to address his concerns.  

Stuart Anderson MP said: "I have been clear that I want to see a clear focus on rural communities in the government's employment support plan. So, I am heartened that that the Minister shares my determination to ensure residents in rural areas like South Shropshire can access high-quality employment support that will enable them to secure and progress in highly rewarding careers. 

"I am encouraged that the Minister plans to use mobile vans to ensure "no one misses out on the job support they deserve." This would be especially important in South Shropshire, where youth unemployment has sadly increased since the General Election.

"I hope to welcome the Minister to South Shropshire shortly so we can reverse this worrying trend for the better."