Oral Answers to Questions

David Amess Excerpts

Monday 23rd June 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mel Stride (Central Devon) (Con)]

3. What assessment he has made of recent trends in employment figures.

[Mr David Amess (Southend West) (Con)]

4. What assessment he has made of recent trends in employment figures.

[Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) (Con)]

15. What assessment he has made of recent trends in employment figures.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Duncan Smith]

Yes, the reality of what we have been trying to do is to make sure that people can get into the jobs that are available. What they do not need—and what is quite ridiculous about the Opposition’s proposal—is to try to take everybody who is below level 2 up to a level 3 qualification. Some people who do not even have a GCSE in maths, for example, are expected now to do training courses to take them to level 3 before they go into work. The reality is that we are getting them work-ready and giving them the training they need. That is why there are record employment levels of some 30.5 million, which beats what we were left by the last Government.

[Mr Amess]

Will my right hon. Friend join me in welcoming the 29% decrease in the number of 18 to 24-year-olds claiming jobseeker’s allowance in the constituency I represent, and does he agree that it is further evidence of the success of our long-term economic plan?

[Mr Duncan Smith]

It is worth noting that under the last Government, youth unemployment increased by nearly a half—up almost 300,000—and long-term youth unemployment increased by 74,000. Since then, excluding full-time students, youth unemployment has come down to 7.9%, which is the lowest figure since 2008. Youth unemployment is down 98,000 on the year, and down 91,000 since the election, and long-term youth unemployment is down 25,000 on the year. That is getting the job right.