Economic Inactivity Working-age People 2023-03-06
2023-03-06
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about high levels of economic inactivity and the need for action to address this issue.
What steps he is taking to reduce levels of economic inactivity among working-age people?
The Prime Minister has asked me to review the matter of economic inactivity, and the results of that review will be shared with the House shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify steps being taken or timeline for action
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the importance of removing tax disincentives to encourage working-age people back into the workforce.
What discussions is he having with Treasury colleagues about ensuring that tax policy, especially on pensions, does not stand in the way of people who have skills and experience staying in, or returning to, the workplace?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important matter, which of course is well known to the Chancellor and Treasury colleagues. We have a variety of discussions with the Treasury on those kinds of matters and others. Of course, tax policy is a matter for the Treasury.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify details or timeline of discussions
Tax Policy Is A Matter For The Treasury
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question focuses on measures targeting over-50s who have left the workforce, particularly those in self-employment or part-time roles.
Can he confirm that his review will look at measures to bring those people back into the workforce?
I can reassure my hon. Friend that we are most certainly looking carefully at that particular cohort of people who have prematurely retired—if I may use that term—and are over the age of 50. It is one of the biggest cohorts that we are trying to encourage back into the workforce, and I will have more to say on that matter in due course.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify measures or timeline for action
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question stems from the recognition that flexible work arrangements can support those returning to work, particularly among over-50s.
Will the Secretary of State back Labour's plan to make flexible working a force for good for all workers?
I very much welcome the hon. Lady's question—I certainly enjoyed my time working with her on the Treasury Committee, where she raised these matters with great passion. She is absolutely right that flexible working is the way forward, and not just for the over-50s but often for those who have disabilities. This is a big opportunity that we need to seize.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify support or opposition to Labour's plan
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is based on the latest figures revealing that there are 788,000 young people not in employment, education or training.
Does the Secretary of State regard that as an acceptable figure, and if not, how and when is he going to tackle it?
Even one person in the circumstances that the hon. Gentleman refers to is one too many. We are going to come forward very shortly with further measures on how we address those particular people, and at the time of the Budget on 15 March—which is very close now—the hon. Gentleman will probably learn more.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify acceptability or specific plans for tackling NEETs
Measures Coming Soon
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The question concerns the government's struggle to convince the OBR that their inactivity plan will meet targets, and the issue of childcare costs acting as a barrier to work.
Why has he now frozen the childcare cost cap in universal credit for the seventh year in a row?
As to whether the OBR is or is not scoring the various measures that are being presented to it by the Treasury, I am intrigued as to how the right hon. Gentleman seems to know that it is having problems. The OBR operates under conditions of utter confidentiality in these matters, and I would not doubt that that is the way it has proceeded this time around. As for childcare, he is absolutely right. He will have to be a little patient—I know that he sometimes struggles to be patient—and we will then come forward with measures, and no doubt we will have something to say about the matter he has raised.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify reasons for freezing childcare cost cap or timeline for addressing issue
Obr Operates Confidentially
He Will Be Patient
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The question questions the government's strategy on tackling inactivity, specifically regarding childcare cost caps under universal credit.
Will he make universal credit work by introducing more flexibility in how it operates, or is he prepared to punish hard-working parents by pushing them into more debt?
I am afraid that I am just going to have to repeat what I have said, which is that the right hon. Gentleman will have to be patient. I am confident that we will have some things to say about the matters he has raised, but he will just have to wait another couple of weeks before he learns what we are doing.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address flexibility or approach to childcare costs directly
He Will Be Patient
Wait For More Information
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The question highlights the increase in sanctions post-pandemic and their impact on pushing people into destitution.
Can the Secretary of State come to the Dispatch Box and outline how plunging people into poverty helps deal with economic inactivity?
I am surprised, in a way, that the hon. Gentleman raises the issue of poverty, because what we have seen, certainly since 2010 and under this Government, has been absolute levels of poverty declining and fewer children growing up in workless homes, for example, in distinct contrast to Governments prior to my party coming into office.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address question on sanctions directly
Contrast With Previous Governments
Levels Of Poverty Declining
Response accuracy