Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Work Incentives

Monday 18 December 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Universal credit is designed to make work pay through financial incentives.
  • Basildon jobcentre hosted recruitment events that filled 20 vacancies.
  • Employment is seen as the best route out of unemployment.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephen Metcalfe Con
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question addresses the need to financially incentivize people to work, focusing on measures that make employment more attractive and beneficial.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that people are financially incentivised to work. The question seeks specific actions by the department to encourage employment through financial incentives.

Answer from Jo Churchill

Universal credit is designed to make work pay, with strong financial incentives such as a 55% earnings taper and work allowances. Working families receive support for up to 85% of childcare costs. The maximum amounts have been increased by 47%, reaching £950 for one child and £1,630 for two or more children. Additionally, the national living wage increase means that 2.7 million workers will be approximately £1,800 better off annually.

Answered
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Q2 Stephen Metcalfe Con
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP references specific jobcentre activities in Basildon, including health and social care recruitment events that filled 20 vacancies. The question seeks to affirm the government's role in reducing unemployment through such initiatives.

Question

I thank the Minister for her answer and welcome her back to the Front Bench. Basildon jobcentre recently hosted two health and social care recruitment events, which resulted in the filling of 20 vacancies, helping to reduce local unemployment. Does the Minister agree that work is the best route out of poverty and that it is this Government who are helping more people into work and aligning vacancies with employees?

Answer from Jo Churchill

First, I thank Basildon jobcentre for their work. Targeted recruitment fairs are a great way to address shortages in sectors such as health and social care, construction, manufacturing, and hospitality. My hon. Friend is right that getting more people into work is a top priority. Employment improves wellbeing both personally and financially, with those in work being on average £6,000 better off per year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific alignment of job seekers with available positions was not directly addressed, though the Minister acknowledges the importance of employment as a route out of poverty.

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