Budget 2024 Unemployment 2024-12-16
2024-12-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows the announcement of the Autumn Budget 2024, which is expected to have implications for employment levels. The MP is seeking a direct assessment of how these policies will affect unemployment rates.
What assessment has she made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on levels of unemployment?
The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts that unemployment will fall to 4.1% next year and remain low until 2029. We are taking action to support jobs and growth, and to transform employment support to get Britain working.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific question about current unemployment rates since the budget announcement was not directly addressed; only forecast was provided.
Forecast Rather Than Current Status
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Following the initial question about potential impacts of the budget on unemployment, the MP seeks clarification on whether unemployment rates have increased or decreased since the Autumn Budget announcement.
Will the Minister answer a simple question: since the Budget, have unemployment rates gone up or down?
I have just given the OBR's assessment. It is worth noting that there are still a significant number of vacancies in the economy. We are determined that the Department for Work and Pensions will be reformed to serve employers better, so that they can fill those vacancies.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific current unemployment rates since budget announcement were not provided; only forecast was given.
Forecast Rather Than Current Status
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Disabled individuals in the MP's constituency are facing employment challenges due to lack of reasonable accommodations from employers. The question seeks action on this issue.
Will the Minister consider strengthening the right to reasonable adjustments, so that workers receive a response within a specified number of weeks?
I thank my hon. Friend for her important question. I know she met my colleague the Minister for Social Security and Disability recently, and I am sure that their conversations were productive on this important point.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific request to strengthen right to reasonable adjustments was not addressed; instead response referred to previous meetings.
Referring To Past Meetings
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
There is concern among businesses in the MP's constituency about potential adverse effects on employment for young people due to recent increases in the national minimum wage.
Does the Minister recognise that issue, and what will she do about it?
Anybody who sees that, in the British economy, there are nearly 1 million young people out of work or training—not doing anything—would say that is a dreadful legacy left by the previous Administration. That is why the youth guarantee is at the heart of our “Get Britain Working” plan.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific question regarding reduction in hiring due to wage increases was not addressed; instead, government's broader employment initiatives were highlighted.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a rising trend in youth unemployment and poor health among young people who have not graduated from university, affecting their job prospects.
What are the Government and the Department doing to give young people the skills and the health support that they need to get good, well-paying jobs?
That question demonstrates the quality analysis I would expect from recently engaged economists on the Labour Benches. The Minister for Skills and I have been working closely on the youth guarantee, because we know that it is only by colleges and jobcentres working in hand in hand that we will get young people the skills that they need to succeed.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific question regarding support for young non-graduates was not directly answered; instead, government's youth guarantee initiative was highlighted without specifics.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The Labour Party previously committed to an employment rate target of 80%, but recent language suggests a shift in commitment from 'target' to 'ambition'. The MP seeks clarity on the current government stance.
Are the Government still committed to the 80% employment target, or will that be another broken Labour promise?
I make no apologies for having ambition for people in our labour market. The figure was always an ambition, because Labour Members want our jobcentres to shift away from pointless admin towards real ambition for everybody who steps through the door.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to 80% employment target was not confirmed; instead, response suggested it was an 'ambition'.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticises the government's approach to employment, citing tax increases and red tape as obstacles. The question seeks clarity on measures intended to boost employment.
Which of those measures will help her to deliver that employment “ambition”?
I have brought forward proposals to get Britain working, together with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Secretary of State for Education, and Secretaries of State right across Government. That is how we will plot a course towards our ambition of an 80% employment rate.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures to deliver employment ambitions were not provided; instead, broad proposals to get Britain working were mentioned without specifics.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy