Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Unemployment Levels: Towns and Cities

Monday 6 March 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • January Office for National Statistics labour market statistics show payroll employment reached 30 million in January 2023, a record high.
  • A jobs fair in Blackburn featured 59 exhibitors and attracted 900 attendees, providing support and interventions.
  • The Minister agrees that every Labour Government has left the country with higher unemployment levels.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Hollern Lab
Employment
Context

The MP asked about the current estimate of unemployment levels in various urban areas, citing concerns over employment statistics.

Question

What estimate he has made of levels of unemployment in towns and cities. The January Office for National Statistics labour market statistics publication shows that payroll employment reached a new record high of 30 million in January 2023, which is higher than at any stage under the last Labour Government.

Answer from Guy Opperman

The January Office for National Statistics labour market statistics publication shows that payroll employment reached a new record high of 30 million in January 2023. That is, of course, higher than at any stage under the last, or any, Labour Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Estimate of unemployment levels

How: Under Review, Looking At This

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Q2 Kate Hollern Lab
Education Employment
Context

The MP asked about barriers to employment, especially for young people in Blackburn, citing specific statistics on the claimant count among 18-24 year-olds. She also questioned the effectiveness of government initiatives like childcare support and apprenticeship schemes.

Question

We hear of a record number of vacancies, yet so many who are looking to get into work are out of work. In Blackburn, the claimant count among 18 to 24-year-olds is at 7.9%, against a national rate of 4.6%. What is the Minister doing to bring down barriers to work such as unaffordable childcare, transport, a failed apprenticeship scheme and a levelling-up agenda that is just not meeting the skills agenda?

Answer from Guy Opperman

The hon. Lady should be aware that last Tuesday there was a jobs fair in her constituency. There were 59 exhibitors, and 900 customers attended the event. They provided fantastic feedback on the support and interventions given. If she did not attend that particular jobs fair, she might want to go to “March into manufacturing” on 21 March, an upcoming jobs fair in her patch.

Not addressed: Barriers to work such as childcare and transport

How: Changed Subject

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Q3 Peter Bone Con
Employment
Context

The MP raised a non-political point about reducing unemployment, challenging the opposition's policies and questioning whether every Labour Government left unemployment higher than when they came to office.

Question

We started the sitting with a non-party political point, so may I continue in that mode? I absolutely agree that those on the Opposition Benches want to reduce the level of unemployment. Unfortunately, their policies do not follow. Does the Minister agree that every single Labour Government have left unemployment higher than when they came to office?

Answer from Guy Opperman

Yes.

Not addressed: Details about Labour Government's impact

How: Too Brief

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