Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Plan for Jobs: Effectiveness

Tuesday 17 May 2022 · 3 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

  • Lee Anderson asked about the effectiveness of the plan for jobs in supporting people into work, highlighting recruitment struggles for apprenticeships in Ashfield.
  • The Government emphasized the importance of apprenticeships, stressing that they offer pathways to success alongside university education, allowing individuals to earn and learn simultaneously.
  • Christine Jardine inquired if the Government needs to take immediate action beyond its long-term plan to address the cost of living crisis, to which the response included a 22 billion support package covering tax reductions and energy bill assistance.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Education Employment
Context

Lee Anderson inquired about the effectiveness of the government's Plan for Jobs, focusing on local businesses' struggles to recruit young apprentices despite offering top wages and education up to degree level.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the plan for jobs in supporting people into work? Businesses in Ashfield are telling me they struggle to recruit young apprentices even though they offer top wages and education up to degree level. I am doing my bit by hosting an apprenticeships fair, but what more can the Government do to ensure that young people in my area know there are great, well-paid apprenticeship schemes available?

Answer from Simon Clarke

My hon Friend is absolutely right to say that it is an important message this whole House should send out, that apprenticeships really matter, and that going to university is not the only way to succeed. People can earn and learn at the same time on our great apprenticeship courses. My right hon Friend the Chancellor visited Caunton Engineering in my hon Friends constituency to promote apprenticeships.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about additional measures was not directly addressed, instead focusing on promoting awareness and highlighting a visit by the Chancellor.

How: Promoting Awareness, Highlighting Previous Actions

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Education Employment
Context

The MP noted businesses in his constituency are having difficulty recruiting young apprentices despite offering high wages and educational opportunities, questioning the effectiveness of current government initiatives.

Question

Businesses in Ashfield struggle to recruit young apprentices even though they offer top wages and education up to degree level. What more can the Government do to ensure that young people know there are great, well-paid apprenticeship schemes available?

Answer from Simon Clarke

We recognise it is important for this House to send out the message that apprenticeships really matter. People can earn and learn at the same time on our great apprenticeship courses. My right hon Friend the Chancellor visited Caunton Engineering in my constituency to promote apprenticeships.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about additional measures was not directly addressed, instead focusing on promoting awareness and highlighting a visit by the Chancellor.

How: Promoting Awareness, Highlighting Previous Actions

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Economy Employment Energy
Context

The Chancellor mentioned a long-term plan for jobs, but Christine Jardine questioned if more immediate action was needed to address the cost of living crisis.

Question

Does the Government accept that perhaps they need to do more immediately than simply having a long-term plan for jobs in order to help people with the cost of living crisis?

Answer from Simon Clarke

We brought forward a £22 billion package of support this year, including tax reductions and assistance on energy bills. This recognises the challenging economic landscape due to global inflation pressures.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about immediate actions was partially addressed but focused more on the long-term plan for jobs and growth.

How: Long-Term Plan Emphasis, Mentioning Package Support

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)