Dame Diana Johnson corrected a written answer on Employment: Graduates

20 March 2026 · Commons written answer · Department for Work and Pensions

Dr Danny Chambers (Liberal Democrat, Winchester) asked written question 119116 on 9 March 2026. Dame Diana Johnson answered on 17 March 2026 for the Department for Work and Pensions, and Dame Diana Johnson corrected the answer on 20 March 2026. The same corrected answer was given to question 119747. The corrected text adds the figures 1.3 million, 10 million, 726,000, £820 million, which the original did not give. Altogether 392 words differ between the two versions.

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of AI on graduate job opportunities.

Original and corrected answer

Struck through: original only. Bold: correction only.

Original	Corrected
Work helps everyone play active and fulfilling roles in society while building financial security for retirement, and we recognise the wealth of skills and experience that older workers bring both to the workplace and the economy. The Department is committed to ~~supporting people over the age of 50 out of work to return to work through~~ a wide-ranging strategy that promotes inclusion, flexibility, and progression. We provide additional dedicated support for customers aged 50 and over in Jobcentres, including through our 50PLUS Champions, who ensure that the specific needs of this ~~age group are recognised and met. This includes facilitating engagement with local employers, promoting age inclusive policies, and supporting work coaches~~ to ~~deliver activity locally. We also offer the Midlife MOT, which helps individuals assess their health, skills and finances, and directs them to appropriate guidance to support their return to~~ work. ~~In addition, our Employer and Partnership Teams work closely with local employers and partners to expand the opportunities, training and employment support available to jobseekers aged 50 and over.~~ As part of our wider ~~plans~~ to ~~Get Britain Working~~ and ~~create~~ a ~~new Jobs~~ and ~~Careers Service, we are reforming employment support to make it more inclusive and better tailored to individuals. This includes strengthening~~ the ~~support we offer to people aged 50 and over to help them move back into good, meaningful work and progress in work.~~	This Government is committed to growth, and a key pillar of this is ensuring that everyone, including graduates, have access to good, meaningful work. As part of our ongoing assessment of labour market trends, we note that job vacancies have declined from 1.3 million in 2022 to 726,000 as the economy continues to adjust post‑pandemic. While some have suggested that increased adoption of AI may be contributing to this fall, current evidence is mixed and does not yet establish a clear causal link. Most forecasters continue to project that artificial intelligence will lead to a net increase in employment overall, though its impacts will vary across industries and occupations. To ensure graduates and the wider workforce can benefit from these opportunities, the Government has established the AI and Future of Work Unit to monitor emerging trends and coordinate policy responses across departments. We are investing in practical AI skills training for adults and expanding partnerships to upskill 10 million workers. Our Youth Guarantee is working to ensure that all young people have access to education, training or help to find a job or apprenticeship, including graduates, and backed by an addition £820 million at the autumn budget.

Original

Corrected

Work helps everyone play active and fulfilling roles in society while building financial security for retirement, and we recognise the wealth of skills and experience that older workers bring both to the workplace and the economy. The Department is committed to ~~supporting people over the age of 50 out of work to return to work through~~ a wide-ranging strategy that promotes inclusion, flexibility, and progression.
We provide additional dedicated support for customers aged 50 and over in Jobcentres, including through our 50PLUS Champions, who ensure that the specific needs of this ~~age group are recognised and met. This includes facilitating engagement with local employers, promoting age inclusive policies, and supporting work coaches~~ to ~~deliver activity locally. We also offer the Midlife MOT, which helps individuals assess their health, skills and finances, and directs them to appropriate guidance to support their return to~~ work. ~~In addition, our Employer and Partnership Teams work closely with local employers and partners to expand the opportunities, training and employment support available to jobseekers aged 50 and over.~~
As part of our wider ~~plans~~ to ~~Get Britain Working~~ and ~~create~~ a ~~new Jobs~~ and ~~Careers Service, we are reforming employment support to make it more inclusive and better tailored to individuals. This includes strengthening~~ the ~~support we offer to people aged 50 and over to help them move back into good, meaningful work and progress in work.~~

This Government is committed to growth, and a key pillar of this is ensuring that everyone, including graduates, have access to good, meaningful work.
As part of our ongoing assessment of labour market trends, we note that job vacancies have declined from 1.3 million in 2022 to 726,000 as the economy continues to adjust post‑pandemic. While some have suggested that increased adoption of AI may be contributing to this fall, current evidence is mixed and does not yet establish a clear causal link. Most forecasters continue to project that artificial intelligence will lead to a net increase in employment overall, though its impacts will vary across industries and occupations.
To ensure graduates and the wider workforce can benefit from these opportunities, the Government has established the AI and Future of Work Unit to monitor emerging trends and coordinate policy responses across departments. We are investing in practical AI skills training for adults and expanding partnerships to upskill 10 million workers. Our Youth Guarantee is working to ensure that all young people have access to education, training or help to find a job or apprenticeship, including graduates, and backed by an addition £820 million at the autumn budget.

The question and answer on the Parliament website.

Receipt

Read from	https://questions-statements-api.parliament.uk/api/writtenquestions/questions/1888955?expandMember=true
Date read	15 October 2026
SHA-256	`d4234ad24347fc167036a66942ee73910e5febb8b4fc41b0e2afbd49f6e8a18b`