Regional Inequalities in Employment 2023-09-04
2023-09-04
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The question arises from concerns over persistent regional disparities in employment rates despite government initiatives.
What assessment has the Department made of the effectiveness of its policies on reducing regional inequalities in employment?
The regional employment rate gap is 7.7 percentage points, which is 1.2 percentage points less than the gap in 2010 and a low figure by historical standards.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Details on specific policies' effectiveness were not provided.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
There is a strong correlation between indices of deprivation and addiction, affecting regions like the north-west particularly.
What policies are in place to address addiction and aid employment specifically in the north-west?
Universal support and WorkWell pilots bring together healthcare and help with seeking work, believed to be one of the best ways to remedy issues including mental health.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No specifics on funding or implementation details were provided.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Jarrow march against unemployment happened 87 years ago, yet the region still faces high unemployment rates.
What are the plans for investing in northern communities to address persistent unemployment issues?
There are now nearly 4 million more people in employment than there were in 2010, including about 2 million more women, and unemployment is at a near-historic low.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address the call for investment or levelling up initiatives.
Deflected To Overall Employment Gains
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
A blog by Lord Ashcroft highlights voter sentiment on the government's cost of living measures.
Does the Secretary of State accept that fair pay agreements could boost the economy and address in-work poverty?
My Department has been responsible for distributing millions of payments to vulnerable people, including £900 total to 8 million low-income households and £150 to 6 million disabled people.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The question was about fair pay agreements, but the response discussed existing payment distributions.
Diverted To Current Measures
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Parts of the constituency have a healthy life expectancy as low as 53-54 years.
What steps is the Department taking in response to the health and disability White Paper?
Measures include universal support and WorkWell, with constant efforts to go further. For over-50s, midlife MOT, returnerships, and pension tax changes are being implemented.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No concrete steps or commitments were made in response to the White Paper specifically.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Kettering has a lower overall but higher youth unemployment rate than the national average.
What is being done to address youth unemployment?
Since 2010, youth unemployment has fallen by over 40%. The Department recently announced the expansion of the youth offer to more young people.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No specifics on how Kettering's situation will be addressed.
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
▸
Context
There are significant gaps across regions in terms of economic activity and inactivity.
What is the plan to make levelling up a reality?
Economic inactivity has reduced substantially since its peak during the pandemic, falling by around 350,000. It is a major focus for my Department.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The answer was vague and did not provide specific plans or commitments.
Response accuracy