Chuka Umunna – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chuka Umunna on 2014-04-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 2 April 2014, Official Report, column 723W, on conditions of employment, how many and what proportion of vacancies available on Universal Jobmatch are zero-hours contracts jobs.

Esther McVey

In answering question 195183 we have interpreted “employee only jobs” as meaning “employee owner status jobs.”

Universal Jobmatch revolutionises the way jobseekers look for work and it has already helped many jobseekers find the jobs they want. It is part of the government’s plan for providing easy online access to government services for all.

Universal Jobmatch has streamlined our existing services for employers and empowered claimants to take more responsibility for their jobsearch and get more targeted support from advisers.

It does not capture information on the number and proportion of zero-hours contracts or ‘employee owner’ status jobs.

Jobcentre Plus guidance stipulates that claimants should not be mandated to apply for a job offering a zero hours contract. It also states that no sanction action will be taken if claimants refuse or fail to apply.