Minister for Employment praises John Lewis for giving jobs to ex-offenders in Milton Keynes

The Minister for Employment has visited theJohn Lewisdistribution centre in MK and praised the company for employing ex-offenders.

Guy Opperman MP saluted the “‘pillar of UK retail industry” for transforming lives through its job opportunities.

He met bosses at the John Lewis Magna Park Campus on Monday to hear how they are supporting people from all backgrounds, including former prisoners, into roles.

The company has a unique collaboration with a charity calledTempus Novo, which places ex-offenders into employment.

At Magna Park, John Lewis employs six former offenders who have been supported into work through this partnership.

The Minister metPhoenix, a former offender who has been a John Lewis Partner for 12 months. With support from John Lewis, Phoenix now mentors other ex-offenders and promotes the benefits of work as an important part of their rehabilitation.

Mr Opperman said: “We want to support ex-offenders into work and Tempus Novo are a great at making this happen. My thanks to John Lewis;”

“I encourage more organisations to follow suit and offer people, irrespective of background, the opportunity of a brighter future through work.”

As the UK’s largest employee-owned business with over 2,000 different roles, from sewing

machinists to LGV drivers, John Lewis offers a range of opportunities for jobseekers to

develop their skills in a thriving and fast-paced environment.

DWP is currently supporting John Lewis in gearing up for the festive season and helping the firm fill vacancies. Roles are advertised on a rolling-basis on the John Lewis Partnership websitehere.