Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Employment: Essex

Monday 4 September 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

  • The Minister is working with other Departments to address recruitment issues in Essex.
  • Examples of initiatives include T-levels at South Essex College and locally driven apprenticeships.
  • The Minister confirms that work capability assessments will continue until there is reform.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Priti Patel Con Witham
Employment Business & Trade
Context

Essex has a strong job market but businesses face barriers to creating more jobs.

Question

What steps is the Minister taking to increase employment in Essex? Businesses are facing barriers to create more jobs. Will he work across government to enable businesses to recruit, lower taxes and burdens for them, and help small businesses in Essex start employing more people?

Answer from Guy Opperman

I endorse pretty much everything my right hon. Friend says. We are working with other Departments to address recruitment issues. Examples include T-levels at South Essex College, apprenticeships driven locally, and a midlife MOT event in Witham.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific labour market strategy or concrete actions for lowering taxes and burdens for businesses were not detailed

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Q2 Priti Patel Con Witham
Employment Business & Trade
Context

Essex has a strong job market but businesses face barriers to creating more jobs.

Question

Will the Minister give an update on how he is working across government to create a labour market strategy to help enable businesses to recruit, lower taxes and burdens for businesses, and make it easier for small businesses in Essex to start employing more people and recruit?

Answer from Guy Opperman

I endorse pretty much everything my right hon. Friend says. We are working with other Departments to address recruitment issues. Examples include T-levels at South Essex College, apprenticeships driven locally, and a midlife MOT event in Witham.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific labour market strategy or concrete actions for lowering taxes and burdens for businesses were not detailed

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Q3 Carol Monaghan SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The number of people off work due to chronic illness is higher than before the pandemic.

Question

Will the Minister confirm that work capability assessments will be reasonable and consider all aspects of an individual's life when assessing whether they are fit for work?

Answer from Guy Opperman

Over 1 million more disabled people are now in work. The WCA will continue on an ongoing basis until there is reform.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm if the assessments would be reasonable and consider all aspects of individuals' lives

How: The Hon. Lady'S Constituency Is A Long Way From Essex!

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