Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Government’s Plan for Jobs

Wednesday 3 November 2021 · 4 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK-wide Department for Work and Pensions spend on labour market support will exceed 6 billion to support workforce development and job creation.
  • UK Government's kickstart scheme has made over 10,000 placements available in Scotland to support young people's job prospects.
  • Minister acknowledges importance of Scottish renewables and mentions ongoing Department funding for projects like CoRE and the Orkney Islands growth deal involving tidal energy.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sara Britcliffe
Employment Scotland
Context

The effectiveness of government support measures in Scotland is under scrutiny.

Question

What assessment has the Government made of the effectiveness of its Plan for Jobs in supporting people in work in Scotland?

Answer from Iain Stewart

Our UK-wide total Department for Work and Pensions spend on labour market support will increase to more than £6 billion, which will give everyone a chance to progress, work and develop skills needed for the modern workforce. In Scotland, we have made available more than 15,000 jobs, with approximately 8,000 already started.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The effectiveness of these measures in supporting people in work is not addressed

How: Provides General Statements About Opportunities

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Q2 Sara Britcliffe
Employment Scotland
Context

The UK-wide kickstart scheme's impact in Scotland is being questioned.

Question

Supporting young people to fulfil their potential is key to levelling up opportunity. Does my hon. Friend agree that the UK-wide kickstart scheme, which has made over 10,000 Scottish placements available, is another example of the UK Government delivering for Scotland?

Answer from Iain Stewart

I absolutely agree. If I can loop my answer back to earlier questions about labour market issues, I hope that the schemes put forward by the Government will help give the next generation skills to fill domestic vacancies.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The effectiveness of these schemes in supporting young people is not addressed

How: Acknowledges The Statement Without Providing Specifics

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Q3 Ian Murray Lab Edinburgh South
Scotland Energy
Context

There is a need for a proper plan for jobs focusing on Scottish renewables.

Question

A proper plan for jobs would have Scottish renewables at its heart. The Minister could take four steps to unleash that potential: creating a dedicated pot for tidal energy, reforming transmission charges, funding interconnectors from island generators to the mainland, and backing Acorn carbon capture and storage project. Will he demand his Cabinet colleagues act now to create a proper jobs plan for Scotland?

Answer from Iain Stewart

The hon. Gentleman raises an important issue. Acorn project is not dead, it did not get through first two rounds but will be in future ones. Through Department funding schemes like CoRE and Orkney islands growth deal involving tidal energy. I would facilitate a meeting with my colleagues at BEIS for wider issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific steps requested are not committed to

How: Offers To Facilitate Meetings

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Q4 Ian Murray Lab Edinburgh South
Economy Taxation Scotland
Context

The effectiveness of the Chancellor's Budget in creating jobs is questioned.

Question

A meeting with BEIS Secretary of State to discuss issues would be accepted, but the Minister should also champion these. COP26 has made it clear that action is needed, not just words. The Chancellor's Budget did not have a plan for jobs; taxes increased despite Scottish taxpayers getting less support after a decade of austerity. Are the Minister and his Department comfortable with hard-working Scots facing the highest tax burden since the 1950s?

Answer from Iain Stewart

On income tax, Scottish Government are responsible and have higher taxes than rest of UK. On unemployment forecast was originally 12% but will be less due to changes like universal credit tapers leaving more money in hands of hard-working people.

Not addressed: The specific question about tax burden is not addressed directly, focuses on employment forecast instead

How: Shifting Focus To Unemployment Forecast

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