{
  "id": 12478928,
  "title": "UK Jobcentres offer free careers advice to people not claiming benefits",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/uk-jobcentres-offer-free-careers-advice-to-people-not-claiming",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-06T22:12:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/uk-jobcentres-offer-free-careers-advice-to-people-not-claiming-benefits/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that people not claiming benefits in England can now receive free careers advice through Jobcentres. This new support enables individuals to obtain guidance on finding work, transitioning careers, advancing in their current positions, and acquiring new skills, irrespective of their eligibility for benefits. The DWP's initiative follows the integration of the National Careers Service into the department, with approximately 500 qualified careers advisers now employed by the DWP. These advisers will provide careers-related information, advice, and guidance in addition to the employment and skills support already offered at Jobcentres. People can access this support via online platforms, telephone calls, or face-to-face meetings at Jobcentres, with the latter service set to become operational later this month. The DWP emphasizes that qualified advisers will prioritize offering comprehensive guidance to individuals facing significant barriers to employment or education, such as young people not in education, employment, or training, minors not in school or college, and disabled individuals. Minister for Employment Andrew Western stated, \"Everyone deserves the chance to find secure, meaningful work and build a career – and we are delivering a modern employment service to make that a reality.\" The DWP highlights that unifying careers advice with jobcentre services will help integrate fragmented services, making it easier for thousands of individuals to access combined careers advice and employment support. This aligns with broader employment support initiatives targeted at young people, disabled individuals, and those with long-term health conditions, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to progress in life. The reforms encompass £2.5 billion in youth employment support, creating nearly one million opportunities for earning and learning, and £3.5 billion for employment assistance for disabled individuals and those with long-term health conditions. People can access career information and advice online or through a freephone service. Additionally, the DWP's Work Hub, an AI work assistant, will serve as a 24-hour resource providing guidance on career development, job searching, and application processes.",
  "summary": "People in England can now access free careers advice through Jobcentres, regardless of whether they claim benefits, the UK government has announced. Read More: https://punchng.com/uk-jobcentres-offer-free-careers-advice-to-people-not-claiming-benefits/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "UK Jobcentres offer free careers advice to people not claiming benefits",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/uk-jobcentres-offer-free-careers-advice-to-people-not-claiming-12480766",
        "published": "2026-10-06T22:22:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}