Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Payroll Employees: Economic Growth

Tuesday 7 February 2023 · 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

  • Ministerial assessment requested on payroll employees' contribution to economic growth amid low unemployment and labour shortages.
  • Minister agrees to improve support for disability and poor health to help people in employment.
  • Government committed 1.3 billion to assist those with health conditions or disabilities in work.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chloe Smith Con
Economy Employment
Context

Unemployment is at a record low of 3.7%, but there are labour shortages due to rising inactivity among working-age individuals.

Question

If he will make an assessment of the potential contribution of payroll employees to supporting economic growth, given that unemployment is at a record low and there are labour shortages due to rising inactivity among working-age individuals.

Answer from John Glen

Unemployment is at a record low of 3.7%, although we recognise that there are labour shortages due, in part, to a rise in working-age inactivity. Tackling that inactivity and supporting growth remains a priority for the Government, and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is working on a thorough review, which will conclude very shortly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide an assessment of payroll employees' contribution to economic growth.

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Q2 Chloe Smith Con
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Government is reviewing the issue of economic inactivity, which affects people with disabilities or poor health.

Question

Does the Minister agree that support for disability and poor health must be improved to help people start, stay, and succeed at work? Will he ensure that spending on Access to Work keeps pace, and will he look at a disability employment endowment fund?

Answer from John Glen

Absolutely, I will look at that. The Government have already committed £1.3 billion of funding to help those with health conditions or disabilities to get into work and to thrive. This is a complex area with a number of interlocking factors, at which we are looking very carefully at this moment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not commit to specific action regarding the disability employment endowment fund or ensuring spending on Access to Work keeps pace.

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