Debates between Priti Patel and Alberto Costa during the 2015-2017 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Priti Patel and Alberto Costa
Monday 14th March 2016

(8 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alberto Costa Portrait Alberto Costa (South Leicestershire) (Con)
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17. What steps his Department is taking to help young people into employment.

Priti Patel Portrait The Minister for Employment (Priti Patel)
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We are determined that young people should not slip into a life on benefits, but that they are either earning or learning. That is why we have launched Jobcentre Plus support in schools and will introduce the youth obligation in 2017, to ensure that young people get the best possible start in life.

Alberto Costa Portrait Alberto Costa
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In my constituency of South Leicestershire, we have seen a welcome fall of 81% in the youth claimant count, from 505 in 2010 to 95 now. That has been achieved through the strong joint working between my right hon. Friend’s Department, local authorities such as Blaby and Harborough District Councils, local enterprise partnerships, and not least businesses. Does she agree that it is through empowering and devolving responsibilities to those closest to the communities that we are most able to provide the support needed to help young people to get back to work?

Priti Patel Portrait Priti Patel
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I pay tribute to all the local stakeholders in my hon. Friend’s constituency who have been providing vital employment support to people to get the claimant count down so low. He is right to say that local decisions help to get people into work. That is why we are always mindful of local labour market trends.