UK Economy

Debate between Desmond Swayne and Bim Afolami

Monday 19th February 2024 Commons Chamber

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

What distinguishes this recession is the 800 jobs that have been created every day since this Government came to power in 2010—the very antithesis of anything ever achieved by a Labour Government, who have always left unemployment higher than they found it—is it not?

[Bim Afolami]

It is—and I would add something else: the figures for home repossession were much higher when there was a recession under the Labour Government in 2008-09, in comparison with our record now, and unemployment now is much lower than it was then. Though we are in challenging times, the economy is turning a corner. Our record compares very favourably Labour’s.