Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Unemployment Trends

Monday 17 March 2025 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mr Richard Holden questioned the Minister about increasing unemployment in Basildon and Billericay, particularly among young people.
  • The Minister responded with a plan to tailor jobcentre support to the needs of employers and to encourage young people to take advantage of available job vacancies.
  • Neil Duncan-Jordan inquired about supporting disabled individuals in finding employment, suggesting investment rather than benefit cuts.
  • The Minister agreed, stating that every person has potential and deserves better support to return to work.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
NHS Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question addresses the increase in unemployment figures in Basildon and Billericay compared to last year, with a focus on young people under 25.

Question

Compared with this time last year, almost 500 more people are on the claimant count in Basildon and Billericay. Almost 100 of those are under 25. How many more will have to be made unemployed before Labour Ministers listen to charities, GPs, supermarkets, manufacturers and care providers? They visited me in my constituency and said that Labour needs to think again about its catastrophic national insurance rise which, before it even hits in April, is already costing the jobs of my constituents.

Answer from The Minister for Employment (Alison McGovern)

We have a significant reform plan to make sure that we tailor jobcentre support towards the needs of employers, because there is still a significant number of vacancies out there that young people should be making the most of to start their career and progress in life. That is why we have a new employer strategy, so that the Department for Work and Pensions can serve businesses properly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific impact of national insurance rise on job losses was not addressed.

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Q2 Neil Duncan-Jordan Lab Poole
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question addresses the barriers faced by disabled individuals in securing employment and calls for investment rather than benefit cuts.

Question

Disabled people often face additional barriers when trying to get back into work. Does the Minister acknowledge that rather than freezing or cutting their benefits, we will need to invest in those people to help them back into work and to sustain them there?

Answer from The Minister for Employment (Alison McGovern)

Yes, I do agree. We see potential in every single person in the country, and many of those who have been written off and left on the scrapheap deserve a much better pathway back into work.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No concrete plan or investment commitment was provided.

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