A big increase in job centre staff has been announced in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Work and Pensions Secretary, Thérèse Coffey, has confirmed the number of work coaches will double from 13,500 to 27,000 across the UK by March 2021 in a bid to help jobseekers find work.
The move will cost some £800 million and comes amid predictions of a major recession in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Treasury insists that work coaches act as "expert mentors" and have a "proven" track record of helping jobseekers and benefit claimants into work quicker.
As part of the first wave of the nationwide recruitment drive, an extra 4,500 coaches will be in position by October, with more to follow later in the year.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Ms Coffey said: “Bringing in 13,500 new work coaches dedicated to helping people find work will have a huge impact.
“They are the people who can see from a CV that someone can pivot from one struggling sector into another thriving one, who can tease out the great skills people have and can be used in a new role or career direction.
“They are the people who can find jobseekers the right training opportunity so they can take the next step.
“And they are the people who will know what makes a good fit so that when someone gets a job, it is one they can stay in.”
The UK Government has set up a team of senior policy advisers from the Treasury and the DWP to oversee its plans to support jobs.
A Treasury spokesperson said: "The longer someone is out of work, the harder it is to return. Doubling the number of work coaches will ensure those in need are given immediate support to get back on their feet and into a job.”
The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, will outline policies aimed at dealing with Britain's recovery from the coronavirus outbreak today.
