Oral Question·Department for Work and Pensions
“What steps his Department is taking to help prevent job seekers and welfare claimants being subject to commercial sexual exploitation.”
Tabled: 2 December 2025Answered: 8 December 2025
Asked by
Rosie Duffield
Independent — Canterbury
Answering Minister
the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Answer from Hansard
The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Dame Diana Johnson)
I thank the hon. Lady for her question; it is one that, like her, I take a deep interest in. Work coaches in jobcentres are trained to recognise a wide range of risks. If they identify safeguarding concerns, including a risk of commercial sexual exploitation, action is taken to escalate them to the appropriate agencies. The DWP does not accept jobs relating to sexual services, or those seeking employees for jobs of a sexual nature.