Oral Answers to Questions

David Nuttall Excerpts

Monday 3rd November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Duncan Smith]

Yes, and it is something the Opposition do not really want to talk about. The forecast was that it would rise. In fact, it has come down. It is also important to recognise that nearly 400,000 fewer children now live in workless households and that the proportion of children on free school meals getting five good GCSEs is up from 31% under the last Government to 38% as of a year ago.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

4. How many people are claiming jobseeker’s allowance in Bury North constituency.

[The Minister for Employment (Esther McVey)]

The number of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance in Bury North was 1,304 in September, a fall of more than 500 people since 2010.

[Mr Nuttall]

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Does she agree that this fall in unemployment has not happened by accident? It has only happened because this Government have cut tax and red tape on businesses, giving them the confidence to grow and take on new employees?