This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Is providing a CV to the Jobcentre mandatory?'.

 
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) 
Central Freedom of Information Team 
 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx 
 
Our reference: FoI 929 
Date: 7 April 2016 
 
Dear Stephanie Herne 
 
Thank you for your Freedom of Information requests received on 10 March 
2016. You asked: 
 
Please refer to this response 
     
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/169236/response/416439/attach/ht
ml/3/FOI%203348%20response.pdf.html 
      
where the reply states, "Providing a CV, email address or telephone 
number is not mandatory, therefore is not sanctionable. 
      
However, a Jobseeker's Allowance claimant may be issued with a 
Jobseeker's Direction, requiring them to take a reasonable, 
specific activity that will help them find work, e.g. getting a CV, 
telephone number or email address will help a claimant get a job. " 
      
The response appears contradictory so could you please clarify the 
 following by providing the relevant legislation which makes these     
requirements mandatory or not: 
      
1a Must a claimant show their CV to the Jobcentre? 
1b Must a claimant allow the Jobcentre to keep or copy their CV? 
2 Must the claimant give the jobcentre a contact telephone number? 
3 Must the claimant give the Jobcentre a contact email addresss 
      
Please also specify whether this requirement differs for different 
claim types such as Universal Credit, JSA etc. 
 
Response: 
 
The response to Freedom of Information quoted in your request (reference 
3348) was accurate, in that, whilst Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants cannot 
be mandated to present a CV, email address or telephone number at the 
jobcentre, they can be mandated to obtain these by issue of a Jobseeker’s 
Direction, as a means of improving their chances of finding employment.  
There is no contradiction, therefore. 
 
The use of Jobseeker’s Direction are supported by Section 19A of the 
Jobseekers Act 1995, which can be found at the following internet address, 
 

 
via the DWP Website:  
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/a11-0101.pdf 
 
The issue of a Jobseeker’s Direction for these reasons is supported in 
instructions, which are attached as Annex 1. 
 
Legislation does not make reference to whether claimants can be mandated 
to provide these objects to the jobcentre, or whether the jobcentre may keep a 
copy of a claimant’s CV.  However, they are required to provide evidence of 
having undertaking the activity required of them, in order to satisfy their Work 
Coach that they have complied with the Jobseeker’s Direction. 
 
In relation to questions 1a, 2 and 3 Universal Credit Claimants subject to ‘All 
Work Related Requirements’ can be required to provide the information to the 
Jobcentre detailed in Section 23 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012. see 
attached link 
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2012/5/pdfs/ukpga_20120005_en.pdf 
This differs from the Jobseekers Act 1995. 
  
If you have any queries about this letter please contact me quoting the 
reference number above.   
 
Yours sincerely,  
 
 
DWP Central FoI Team 
 
 
 
 
 
Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act 
 
If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailing 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx or by writing to: DWP, Central FoI Team,  
Caxton House, Tothill Street, SW1H 9NA. Any review request should be submitted within two 
months of the date of this letter.  
 
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the 
Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision. Generally the Commissioner cannot make a 
decision unless you have exhausted our own complaints procedure. The Information 
Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, 
Water Lane, Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF 
www.ico.org.uk/Global/contact_us  or telephone 0303 123 1113 or 01625 545745