Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Unemployment Trends

Monday 30 November 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The latest ONS labour market unemployment level in the east of England is 137,000, and the national rate stands at 4.8%
  • The Department for Work and Pensions has established "job help" and "employer help" websites to provide guidance to jobseekers and employers
  • The DWP has implemented a 30 billion plan for jobs, including the JETS scheme and a "find a job" support service

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Employment
Context

No specific context provided, but the question refers to recent unemployment levels.

Question

What recent assessment has her Department made of trends in the level of unemployment?

Answer from Mims Davies

The latest ONS labour market unemployment level in the east of England is 137,000, and the national rate now stands at 4.8%. In addition to other measures, the DWP has established “job help” and “employer help” websites to provide jobseekers locally and employers the opportunity to get guidance and tools to help people find new roles.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address any specific trends or assessments of unemployment levels, instead providing current figures.

How: Provided Current Figures Without Addressing Trends

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Q2 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP is concerned about the inadequacy of universal credit support and the need to address a jobs crisis by utilising the furlough scheme flexibly.

Question

Nearly 15,000 people are relying on inadequate universal credit support. To get a grip of the jobs crisis, what discussions is the Minister having with the Chancellor regarding reasons for using the furlough scheme to keep people in work and incentivise employers to use it flexibly?

Answer from Mims Davies

That is absolutely the reason we have the job help website and at DWP our rapid response service. That is why we have our £30 billion plan for jobs, which includes the JETS—job entry targeted support—scheme, the “find a job” support service and the new employer help and job help websites.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide details on specific discussions with the Chancellor regarding flexible use of the furlough scheme.

How: Provided General Measures Without Addressing The Specific Ask

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