Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Unemployment

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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The unemployment rate is now almost half the rate inherited in 2010 and is back to pre-pandemic levels.
  • Employment is at record levels, with payroll employment at a record high and 4 million more people in work than in 2010.
  • Payroll employment is at a record high, with the unemployment rate down to 4.2% across the UK, a near record low.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Judith Cummins Lab Bradford South
Employment
Context

The question is prompted by concerns about the level of unemployment over the last year.

Question

What assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of unemployment over the last 12 months?

Answer from Guy Opperman

The independent Office for National Statistics estimates that, notwithstanding a recent uptick, the unemployment rate is now almost half the rate we inherited in 2010 and is back to pre-pandemic levels.

Answered
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Q2 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Economy Employment
Context

The question arises from data suggesting employment levels have not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels despite official claims.

Question

According to the Government's own figures, three and a half years after the pandemic began, employment is not back to pre-pandemic levels. Will the Minister set out what the unanticipated rise in unemployment says about the underlying health of our economy? It is not looking good, is it?

Answer from Guy Opperman

With great respect, I disagree. Employment is at record levels. Vacancies have been down for the past 10 quarters. Payroll employment is at a record high. Pay is up and inflation is down. We are doing an awful lot better than that lot would.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Unanticipated rise in unemployment and underlying health of the economy

How: With Great Respect, I Disagree.

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Q3 Judith Cummins Lab Bradford South
Economy Employment
Context

There has been a wave of job cuts in Bradford South recently with major redundancies announced by Morrisons and Solenis.

Question

We have seen a summer of job cuts in my Bradford South constituency, with both Morrisons and Solenis announcing major redundancies. Does the Minister agree that this shows that the Government's plan to grow the economy is failing?

Answer from Guy Opperman

I should make the point that payroll employment is at a record high. There are 4 million more people in work than in 2010, and the unemployment rate is down to 4.2% across the UK—that is a near record low. Our jobcentres are clearly doing a fantastic job, and I fully support all the work that is going on in Bradford to try to address these issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Recent job cuts indicating failure of economic growth strategies

How: I Should Make The Point That Payroll Employment Is At A Record High.

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