Summer Jobs

Debate between Alec Shelbrooke and Gareth Davies

Tuesday 7th July 2026 Commons Chamber

[Gareth Davies]

I am always grateful to the hon. Gentleman. He clearly learned in his first job the importance of showing up and he certainly does every single day in this place, which I commend him for. I agree with him, and I will set out in detail what I believe are the causes of the situation we find ourselves in today, with 1 million young people aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training.

[Sir Alec Shelbrooke (Wetherby and Easingwold) (Con)]

Is my hon. Friend not incredulous that the Government’s proposed amendment to the motion

“welcomes the Employment Rights Act 2025 and the…Plan to Make Work Pay”?

Does he think this is just another example of the Government burying their head in the sand, and that work may pay but there is nothing to work at?

[Gareth Davies]

That is exactly right. There is no point in pay being on an upwards trajectory, which we all support, if there are no jobs in the first place. Actually, under this Government, the record is clear that employment levels are in decline, not on a positive trajectory.