Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

Job Opportunities Rural Areas 2026-06-29

2026-06-29

View full transcript on Parliament.uk -->
TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Bradley Thomas Con
Bromsgrove
▸ Context
The MP noted concerns about job trends in his constituency, highlighting that businesses report increased costs under the current government have affected their ability to recruit.
What recent assessment has been made of trends in the level of job opportunities in rural areas? The picture painted by the Minister does not reflect my constituents' experiences. Rural unemployment is up and business costs have risen, impacting recruitment efforts.
Diana R. Johnson
The employment rate in rural areas stands at 78.4%, compared with 74.8% in urban areas, with job opportunities in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and scientific and technical sectors. Economic inactivity among people aged 16 and over has decreased by 0.8%. Under this Government, the number of jobs in agriculture has risen by 5,000 compared to a decline under the previous government.
▸ Assessment & feedback
The MP's specific concerns about increased costs impacting recruitment were not directly addressed.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Bradley Thomas Con
Bromsgrove
▸ Context
The MP noted that businesses in his constituency report a decrease in job opportunities and an increase in unemployment, blaming the current government's policies for increased employment costs.
Does the Minister recognise that rural job opportunities have gone down, rural unemployment is up, and business costs have directly contributed to their inability to continue recruiting? Will she impart on the next Prime Minister the importance of a change of course?
Diana R. Johnson
The employment rate in rural areas is 78.4%, compared with 74.8% in urban areas, with job opportunities in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and scientific and technical sectors. Economic inactivity has fallen by 0.8%. Under this Government, the number of jobs in agriculture has risen by 5,000 compared to a decline under the previous government.
▸ Assessment & feedback
The MP's specific concerns about increased costs impacting recruitment were not directly addressed.
Response accuracy