Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The MP is seeking an estimate of the number of jobs provided by businesses within her constituency, highlighting the importance of local economic health.
What estimate has been made of the number of jobs provided by businesses in Witham constituency?
The Office for National Statistics estimates that 36,000 jobs were provided by employers in Witham in 2022.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
During Apprenticeship Week, the MP is highlighting the efforts of businesses in her constituency to employ young people through apprenticeships. She asks for a strategic approach to improve skills and upskilling in certain sectors.
As it is Apprenticeship Week, will the Secretary of State join me in thanking businesses in Witham for everything that they are doing to employ youngsters and put them on that apprenticeship pathway? Those businesses, however, are crying out for a labour market strategy that will help them to harness the skills and the upskilling that they need in certain sectors. Would the Secretary of State be prepared to advance that, and push it, across other Departments?
I congratulate my right hon. Friend on the extraordinary work that she does locally to promote apprenticeships. I believe she was involved in a jobs fair on 24 January, hosted by Reed, which was highly successful. The employment rate in her constituency is 81%, well above the national average, which I put down almost entirely to the work that she is doing. She asked how we would proceed. We already have swaps, bootcamps and returnerships, but I am indeed looking at specific areas of the labour market, particularly in the context of migration changes, where we may be able to do more on a strategic basis.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment or timeline for advancing the strategy across other Departments
Looking At Specific Areas
Response accuracy