Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Employment: Rural Areas

Monday 12 October 2026 · 4 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial identity verification methods for rural areas include digital services, telephone, and postal delivery.
  • Government plans to support rural job creation in Essex include an additional 120 billion of public spending for infrastructure.
  • Youth jobs initiatives include a 2,000 incentive for SMEs hiring apprentices under 25 and the expansion of youth hubs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Torcuil Crichton
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Minister has visited the constituency and is aware of the challenges of administering and delivering benefits in the Western Isles. The process could be made simpler if the verification of identity could be done virtually.

Question

Will he consider changing the one-size-fits-all system of verifying claims and identities to take account of the rurality and the insularity of constituencies such as mine?

Answer from Andrew Western

The DWP does have several different ways to carry out identity verification for customers accessing our services in rural locations, including customers who are unable to access a jobcentre. It offers verification through our digital service, over the telephone or by postal delivery. If, as my hon. Friend says, that is not happening in his locality, I can tell him that there is an excellent team working out of the jobcentre in Stornoway, whom I have met. If they, or he, will let me know what is happening, I shall be happy to look into it for him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify that he would change the system but offered to look into it.

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Q2 Priti Patel Con Witham
Employment Transport
Context

The Government have cancelled the A12 widening scheme, paused the dualling of the A120 and scrapped the A127 economic corridor in Essex. The question is about the need for the Minister to lobby his colleagues to help support more rural job creation.

Question

What will the Minister do to lobby his colleagues across Government to help support more rural job creation in Essex?

Answer from Andrew Western

The right hon. Lady will be aware that this Government are delivering an additional £120 billion of public spending to support improved infrastructure across the country. On her question about jobs in rural locations, this Government are taking the steps needed to support people into work—take the example of the agricultural sector, where there are over 22,000 more jobs than there were when her party left office.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to lobbying but mentioned additional public spending and job creation in agriculture.

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Q3 Perran Moon
Employment
Context

The number of young people claiming unemployment benefit in the constituency has risen by 26% in the last year alone, far higher than the national average.

Question

What employment action the Government are taking—particularly in remote coastal areas like mine, which has seen such a dramatic increase—to deal with the issue of young people claiming unemployment benefit?

Answer from Andrew Western

The Government have brought forward the youth jobs grant, introduced the new £2,000 incentive for small and medium-sized enterprises that hire apprentices under the age of 25, and rolled out youth hubs across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify actions for the particular constituency but highlighted national initiatives.

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Q4 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Housing
Context

The lack of available or affordable housing is critical when it comes to rural employment, especially on the west coast of his constituency.

Question

Could the Minister share best practice in England and Wales with those north of the border to see if we can do something about this problem?

Answer from Andrew Western

The Government are investing £39 billion in the delivery of social and affordable homes because we recognise the issues that the hon. Gentleman sets out. This Government are committed to delivering access to a good-quality, safe and secure home, which is a fundamental starting point for any good life.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to sharing best practices but acknowledged the issue and investment in affordable homes.

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