Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Incentivising Return to the Labour Market

Monday 23 January 2023 · 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

  • Chloe Smith asked about steps to incentivize returning to the labour market for economically inactive people.
  • Response mentioned reviewing financial disincentives from health and disability benefits.
  • John Spellar inquired about considering a private Member's Bill to address unnecessary educational requirements for employment.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chloe Smith Con
Employment
Context

9 million people are economically inactive, prompting a review of economic inactivity measures.

Question

What steps is the Department taking to incentivise people to return to the labour market given that 9 million people are economically inactive?

Answer from Mel Stride

I am currently reviewing economic inactivity and will come back to the House with various measures. The current number of 9 million people who are economically inactive is not satisfactory.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or timeline for addressing economic inactivity was not provided, only a general review mentioned.

How: Under Review

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q2 Chloe Smith Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Current health and disability benefits can pose financial disincentives for people with long-term conditions to try work.

Question

Does the current review agree that health and disability benefits can create a financial disincentive against trying work, and should we look at providing better support?

Answer from Mel Stride

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right that the review acknowledges financial disincentives created by current health and disability benefits, and focuses on what disabled people can do rather than what they cannot do. This will be a key aspect of the White Paper.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific changes to health and disability benefits were not committed to, only agreement that it needs consideration.

How: Under Review

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q3 John Spellar Lab
Employment
Context

Private Member's Bill aims to address the issue of employers valuing experience over qualifications for older people.

Question

Will the Secretary of State consider taking up a private Member's Bill, the Employment (Application Requirements) Bill, which addresses the issue of employers not insisting on degrees and A-levels unless strictly relevant?

Answer from Mel Stride

I would be happy to look at the right hon. Gentleman's private Member's Bill. Employers must see disabled people with their abilities and contributions in mind, which is why we promote Disability Confident and have many work coaches up and down the country focusing on this.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to look at the bill was given but no specific timeline or action beyond general support for disability initiatives.

How: Under Review

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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