Unemployment Figures

Debate between Lord Blunkett and Baroness Sherlock

Thursday 20th October 2022 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Sherlock (Lab)]

My Lords, I think the Minister is here to answer—

[Lord Blunkett (Lab)]

My Lords—

[Noble Lords]

Front Bench.

[Baroness Sherlock (Lab)]

Sorry, David.

[Lord Blunkett (Lab)]

Go for it.

[Baroness Sherlock (Lab)]

I am grateful to my noble friend and will try again. The Minister is here to answer for the whole Government, but if she does not want to answer for anything but her own department, can I tell her that one-fifth of adults between 50 and 65 who have left work are currently on NHS waiting lists? Does she accept that the very least her department could do is ensure that it can assure those people that, as well as that problem, it is not about to cut the value of their benefits as well?