The Bishop of Leicester received the following written answers on 16th September 2026:
The Lord Bishop of Leicester asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the benefits of volunteering for work-readiness.
Baroness Sherlock (Lab, DWP): The Department recognises that volunteering can play a positive role in improving work-readiness and supporting progression towards employment. Voluntary work can help individuals develop transferable skills, confidence and experience which may help them move closer to employment while also supporting local communities. It can be particularly beneficial for people who have been out of the labour market for some time and are looking to build their skills and strengthen their CV. Universal Credit is designed to support claimants to enter work, earn more, or prepare for work in the future. The Department therefore encourages voluntary activity where it supports a claimant’s progression towards work. Where appropriate, volunteering can be considered as part of a claimant’s work search or work preparation activities, provided that claimants continue to take reasonable steps to prepare for, find and move into work. Moreover, in April, the government introduced landmark legislation to ensure entering employment, or taking up a volunteering opportunity, will not automatically trigger benefit reassessment for claimants on new-style Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, and Universal Credit health element.
The Lord Bishop of Leicester asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to encourage volunteering.
Baroness Sherlock: DWP’s Strategic Relationship Team (SRT) works with employers, charities and voluntary sector organisations to promote volunteering as an employment enabler by working with national charities, employers and community organisations to create volunteering opportunities, raise awareness of the benefits of volunteering and test innovative approaches such as the Warm Welcome pilot. Through partnerships with organisations including the Royal Voluntary Service, Shaping the Future and Warm Welcome, SRT helps customers gain skills, experience and connections that may support their journey into paid work.
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