UK Deploys Mobile Jobcentre Vans to Bring Employment Support Directly to Communities Across England and Wales

The UK government has launched an ambitious expansion of its Mobile Jobcentre vans, designed to meet jobseekers where they are and break down barriers to employment.

After a successful pilot, the program is now rolling out to six additional areas across England and Wales, including towns with some of the highest inactivity rates in the country.

Bringing Job Support to Everyday Locations

These vans, dubbed “Jobcentres on Wheels,” are appearing outside leisure centres, supermarkets, family hubs, and even football stadiums.

The idea is simple: instead of requiring people to visit a Jobcentre, which can feel intimidating or inconvenient, employment support now comes directly to where people live, shop, and socialize.

Inside the vans, work coaches provide expert advice on job searching, training, digital skills, and navigating support for health conditions, disabilities, or childcare.

The service is available not just to those already receiving benefits, but also to members of the public who are economically inactive.

Expansion to New Areas

Following pilot schemes in the Scottish Highlands, North and Mid Wales, and Greater Manchester, the mobile fleet is now extending to Wakefield, North Nottinghamshire, Barrow-in-Furness, Blackpool, Clevedon, and Rhondda Cynon Taf/Bridgend.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden emphasized, “We want to break down the barriers that stop people from finding good work, and that means meeting people where they are. Jobcentres on Wheels are doing exactly that.”

Success Stories from Bolton

The Bolton Mobile Jobcentre, launched in January 2025, has already helped nearly 800 people, many of whom had never set foot in a traditional Jobcentre.

One customer with health conditions discovered job leads, digital support, and training opportunities all in a single visit—something he says he wouldn’t have sought at a conventional Jobcentre.

Ben Lawton, CEO of Bolton Wanderers in the Community, praised the program, noting how it supports young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) through trusted, community-based engagement.

A Nationwide Effort

With the expansion, mobile Jobcentres now operate in nine areas across England, Scotland, and Wales, covering urban, rural, coastal, and post-industrial communities.

The Department for Work and Pensions aims to continue testing the service’s impact before a wider rollout.

The initiative forms part of the government’s broader “Get Britain Working” agenda, which includes transforming Jobcentres, launching a national jobs and careers service, and introducing a new £55 million digital offer to make employment support accessible wherever it’s needed.

Upcoming Mobile Jobcentre Stops

• Barrow-in-Furness: Barrow Park Leisure Centre (17 Feb) and Furness General Hospital (19 Feb)

• Blackpool: The Grange (18 Feb) and The Hub, Fleetwood (19 Feb)

• Bridgend/Rhondda Cynon Taf: Gilfach Goch Community Association (18 Feb) and Garw Valley Life Centre (23 Feb)

• Clevedon: Parish Council Car Park (18 Feb) and Portishead Lake Grounds (19 Feb)

What’s next?

Officials will monitor the effectiveness of the expanded service, collecting data on customer engagement, particularly among economically inactive populations.

Depending on results, further vans could be deployed nationwide, reaching more remote and underserved communities.

The program will also continue to integrate digital support and connect with local employers to create sustainable employment pathways.

Summary

The UK government has expanded its Mobile Jobcentre vans to six new areas, bringing employment support directly to communities across England and Wales.

The vans provide job coaching, training guidance, and support for health conditions, disabilities, and childcare needs.

The expansion follows successful pilot programs and is part of a broader government plan to “Get Britain Working,” aiming to reduce unemployment and economic inactivity while making employment services more accessible to all.