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Employment Support Funding Arrangements between the Department of Work and Pensions and the Welsh Government

Statement made on 25 March 2026

Statement UIN HLWS1459

Statement

My honourable Friend, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Transformation) (Andrew Western MP) has made the following Written Statement.

The UK and Welsh Governments have agreed how they will deliver the UK Government’s manifesto commitment to devolve employment support funding to the Welsh Government over the course of the current UK Parliament.

That devolution has already begun with the agreement to transfer up to £20 million for the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer Pilots across two years, 2025-26 to 2026-2027.

Further funding from agreed new employment programmes being delivered by DWP will be transferred to Welsh Government to design and deliver employment support schemes closer to the communities they affect using the Welsh Government’s Employability Support Programme. UK Government employment support already available or with a funding agreement in place will continue and will not be in scope.

This funding will strengthen the Welsh Government’s ability to assist people in Wales to move closer to employment and enter the workforce, helping to improve living standards across Wales and support economic growth.

The Memorandum of Understanding is attached.

Linked statements

This statement has also been made in the House of Commons

Department for Work and Pensions
Employment Support Funding Arrangements between the Department of Work and Pensions and the Welsh Government
Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Transformation)
Labour, Stretford and Urmston
Statement made 25 March 2026
HCWS1454
Commons