Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Michael Fabricant

Tuesday 11th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)]

7. What comparative assessment he has made of the level of youth unemployment in the UK and EU27 countries; and if he will make a statement.

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Elizabeth Truss)]

Since 2010, the UK has seen a larger fall in youth unemployment than Germany, France and Italy combined. Today’s employment figures show that the youth unemployment rate is down to a record low, with the number having nearly halved since 2010.

[Michael Fabricant]

It seems the message is simple: it is better to grow up in Lichfield than, say, Limoges or Lyon—does my right hon. Friend agree? If youth unemployment has fallen by 50% since 2010, how will she maintain that?

[Elizabeth Truss]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right; I am sure it is nothing but fun growing up in Lichfield, with him as the local Member of Parliament. The reason we have such low youth unemployment is that we have expanded the number of apprenticeships, reformed employment to make it easier to take on staff, and reformed our welfare system to make sure that it always pays to go into work.