Craig Whittaker MP is working with the rail industry to encourage jobseekers in Yorkshire and the Humber to boost their job searches by applying for the free Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card.
· The number of journeys made by cardholders in Yorkshire and the Humber fell to 15,700 during the pandemic, highlighting that many people in the area are missing out on big savings
· Over 62% of journeys using the card are taken in London and the SE
Local MP Craig Whittaker is joining Britain’s train companies in promoting the use of a half price rail discount card to get more jobseekers back on track and into work, as new research shows that journeys made using the card dropped by 11,800 in Yorkshire and the Humber since the start of the pandemic, meaning that thousands of jobseekers could be missing out on major savings.
The Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card gives holders a 50% discount on journeys across Britain and anyone claiming Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit for 3-9 months (18-24 year olds) or 3-12 months (over 25s) can apply through their Work Coach and local Jobcentre Plus.
The drop reflects a national trend which has seen usage of the card drop by over a third in the months March 2020-October 2021 – with over 62% of journeys taken using the card in London and the South East. With new unemployment figures out this week which show joblessness at 121,000 in Yorkshire and the Humber, Craig Whittaker MP is working with the Rail Delivery Group and Jobcentre Plus teams to further promote the card across the rest of the country. Last year, jobseekers saved a total of £1.5m using the discount available to them.
Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of Rail Delivery Group, said:
“Over 700,000 journeys were made during the pandemic by people using the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card, including 15,700 in Yorkshire and the Humber, but with the world of work opening back up and new opportunities becoming available, we want to encourage even more people to take advantage as they look to secure new jobs.
The railway is a key part of Britain’s clean and fair recovery, and this discount card is yet another way that train companies are helping the country to bounce back.”
Craig Whittaker, MP for Calder Valley said:
“This is an incredible opportunity, not only will it allow Jobseekers to save money, it will enable those to travel further afield to secure the best career options without being restricted by factors such as longer distances.
I would like to encourage anyone who fits the criteria to take advantage of this brilliant scheme.”