Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Jones Excerpts

Tuesday 11th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Chris Skidmore (Kingswood) (Con)]

3. What steps he is taking to encourage private sector job creation.

[Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)]

7. What steps he is taking to support business creation.

[Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con)]

9. What steps he is taking to encourage private sector job creation.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Osborne]

I think it will help, alongside the reduction in the small company rate. I am pleased that the Federation of Small Businesses said we had listened to the concerns of members, and the chambers of commerce were also supportive. Over the next two years this measure will encourage investment from small and medium-sized businesses, although all businesses that invest will benefit.

[Andrew Jones]

As someone who has set up small businesses myself, I think that encouraging small business creation is part of the solution to the country’s economic problems. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is a sign of the strength of the private sector in this country that we have seen new businesses created in such record numbers and that this has been one of the factors in generating the 1 million-plus private sector jobs created since the election?

[Mr Osborne]

It is welcome that more than 1 million jobs have been created in the private sector. We now have record female employment, which is also welcome, while the number of those on out-of-work benefits has fallen by 190,000, which is something I hope everyone would welcome.