Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chris Evans and Theresa Villiers

Wednesday 29th October 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Villiers]

I am certainly prepared to look at whatever findings that body comes up with. I was slightly surprised to see that Deirdre Heenan had tweeted that Labour did not have any policies, which I thought was quite an unusual start to the commission’s work. It is important to recognise that in this country we have had the largest annual fall in unemployment since records began. In Northern Ireland, the claimant count has fallen for 21 consecutive months. That is providing more peace of mind and security for thousands of people in Northern Ireland and it is the result of the Government’s long-term economic plan.

[Chris Evans (Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op)]

4. What steps she is taking to tackle youth unemployment in Northern Ireland.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mrs Theresa Villiers)]

The October labour market survey reports that the unemployment rate in Northern Ireland for 18 to 24-year-olds has come down 4.2 percentage points over the year. The Government’s policy of reducing the largest structural deficit in UK peacetime history is delivering a sustainable economic recovery and assisting young people into employment.

[Chris Evans]

As the Secretary of State will know, youth unemployment is still stubbornly high in Northern Ireland. Jobs Growth Wales has created 12,000 opportunities for young people living in Wales. Has she had the chance to study the programme with the Executive, with the hope of adopting it?

[Mrs Villiers]

The Government are working hard to support a balanced economic recovery right across the United Kingdom. We welcome the fact that the UK economy is now growing faster than any major developed economy and that we have seen record falls in unemployment. We will continue to work hard on reducing the deficit, keeping mortgage rates low and reducing business taxes to encourage employers to take on more people in the workplace, particularly young people.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chris Evans and Theresa Villiers

Wednesday 26th February 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Villiers]

I am very much aware of the very serious implications this case has, and they have also been conveyed to me by the First Minister, whom I look forward to meeting this evening to discuss this matter with.

As I announced yesterday, the Northern Ireland Office, along with the PSNI, is undertaking an urgent check of all letters that were issued under the scheme to establish whether any further mistakes were made that could lead to the same outcome that was witnessed in relation to the Downey case. It is also vital that we get to the bottom of why such a very serious mistake was made within the PSNI and why the PSNI did not draw it to the attention of the Northern Ireland Office, and of course I will be discussing this matter with David Ford and the First Minister.

[Chris Evans (Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op)]

2. What assessment she has made of the effects of the reduction in public sector jobs in Northern Ireland.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chris Evans and Theresa Villiers

Thursday 28th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Mrs Theresa Villiers)]

The decision on rail fares has been difficult, but we have had to make it as part of the tough decisions needed to tackle the deficit. Of course we will keep under review the way that the system works, and I am happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss the issue.

[Chris Evans (Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op)]

T3. Constituents of mine travel on the Ebbw Valley rail line from Cardiff to Islwyn, but they cannot travel to Newport because there are major engineering works at the Gaer junction. Has the Minister had any discussions with the First Minister about providing money for those engineering works so that my constituents can travel to work from Islwyn to Newport?

[Mrs Villiers]

I have not discussed that specific issue with the Welsh Assembly Government, but I am happy to do so.