20523 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

Written Question

Published date: 11 Jun 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	20523 (2026)
Question asked:	27 May 2026
Member asking:	Hon Willow-Jean Prime
Portfolio:	Minister for Social Development and Employment
Minister replying:	Hon Louise Upston
Answer received:	08 Jun 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_20523_2026
Document guid:	511fe058-d54f-44bf-879f-52a60850a29f

20523 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Further to 14003 (2026), at what stage, if any, is the work to investigate the establishment of an 'essential worker' workforce planning mechanism to better plan for skill or labour shortages in the long term and when is the investigation due for completion?

Hon Louise Upston: I am considering advice on an enduring approach to a workforce planning mechanism and a forward work programme. More sector-specific advice will also be provided to me in quarter 2 of 2026. The action set out in Going for Growth to investigate the workforce planning mechanism is expected to be completed by 30 June 2026.