The ongoing cost of living crisis is making it harder for people to find extra money to pay for essentials, even more so for millions of households reliant on benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). However, many claimants may not be aware of a fund operated by the Jobcentre which could help them learn to drive.
The Flexible Support Fund could help provide people looking for work with free driving lessons, if it would help them secure employment. Many advertised jobs stipulate that a driving licence is required for the role and for those that are willing, but unqualified, it can be a major barrier to coming off benefits.
DWP Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman MP, explained in a written response to Conservative MP Ben Bradley earlier this week: “Service Leaders in Jobcentres can allocate funding for driving lessons through the Flexible Support Fund, where they feel this is an appropriate use of funds. Each request is considered on a case-by-case basis.”
