IMF Economic Outlook Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

IMF Economic Outlook

Alan Brown Excerpts
Tuesday 31st January 2023

(1 year, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Cartlidge Portrait James Cartlidge
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I do not know the specific circumstances of why the café the hon. Gentleman refers to is struggling to recruit; I have no specific knowledge of it. I am sure it offers a wonderful breakfast when it is able to do so. What I can say is, talking in aggregate, and as is our slogan, we are proud to have almost the lowest unemployment for the best part of 50 years. It does present challenges when we have a tight labour market. That is why we think the best way forward is to ensure that we have the apprenticeships, skills and training to deliver the workforce to meet our growth ambitions.

Alan Brown Portrait Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)
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The Minister continues the Tory playbook of excuses—global headwinds, global challenges, other countries having high inflation, Putin’s illegal war and the pandemic—but the reality is that the UK is the only G7 country facing a recession this year. Is that due to Tory incompetence, or is it the Brexit dividend?