All 1 Debates between Lord Skelmersdale and Baroness Altmann

Thu 19th Nov 2015

Employment

Debate between Lord Skelmersdale and Baroness Altmann
Thursday 19th November 2015

(9 years, 1 month ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Baroness Altmann Portrait Baroness Altmann
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

It is indeed the aim of this Government to halve the disability employment gap. The reforms to the employment and support allowance are designed to ensure that we have the right incentives in place to help people in the work-related activity group, of whom 61% do want to move into work, to do so.

Lord Skelmersdale Portrait Lord Skelmersdale
- Hansard - -

My Lords, many years ago, when I was taught economics, I was taught to define my terms. Will my noble friend explain whether the 2% to 3% unemployment rate which was valid in the 1980s still constitutes full employment?

Baroness Altmann Portrait Baroness Altmann
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, there is no recognised definition of full employment as far as the economics profession is concerned. The Government’s measure of full employment will be released in the first progress report on the full employment Bill.