Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Economic Inactivity

Monday 19 June 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government providing job interventions for over-50s who have retired early
  • Honourable member requested meeting with business leaders to address workforce crisis
  • Department agreed targets with Treasury on role of labour market in reducing inflation

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephen Metcalfe Con
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The staff at Basildon Jobcentre Plus have significantly reduced the local inactivity rate, which is 12.6% below the UK average.

Question

What else are the Government doing to get people off out-of-work benefits?

Answer from Mel Stride

The 12.6% figure for economic inactivity is extremely low and a tribute to the work done locally. The Government is providing job interventions for over-50s who have retired early, childcare provision for parents with duties, and efforts to facilitate getting the long-term sick and disabled back into the labour market.

Partly answered
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Q2 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
Social Care Housing Employment
Context

Unemployment rate is only 1.4% and the population has an average age of 10 years above the national average, facing a workforce crisis due to high visitor numbers.

Question

Will the Secretary of State agree to meet me and local business leaders in the south lakes to come up with a bespoke solution for our workforce crisis?

Answer from Mel Stride

The hon. Gentleman refers to housing, skills, and other policy areas across several Departments. However, I have heard what he says, and I will take it away and consider.

Not addressed: Specific request for a meeting was not addressed directly.

How: Will Take It Away And Consider

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Q3 Alison McGovern Lab Birkenhead
Economy Employment
Context

The Bank of England sets interest rates independently, but the state of the labour market influences inflation.

Question

What targets have been agreed by his Department with the Treasury on the role of the labour market in reducing inflation?

Answer from Mel Stride

Economic inactivity is crucial for economic success, with a record low level just before the pandemic. Since then, we have reduced the spiked-up figure by about 300,000, including a reduction of 140,000 in the last quarter alone.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific targets and agreements were not provided.

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