Oral Answers to Questions

Florence Eshalomi Excerpts

Monday 24th April 2023 Commons Chamber

[Florence Eshalomi (Vauxhall) (Lab/Co-op)]

2. What steps he is taking to help increase the future employment and earnings potential of people receiving social security benefits.

[The Minister for Employment (Guy Opperman)]

We have comprehensive support in place to help Department for Work and Pensions claimants to secure, stay and succeed in work, including in-work progression, youth hubs and targeted support for people of all ages. In addition, there is a comprehensive package in the Budget to assist each and every one.

[Florence Eshalomi]

I thank the Minister for his response. My constituents in Vauxhall have seen food prices go up by nearly 20%, their household bills go through the roof, and their already high rents going up, in some cases by up to 16.5%. That is while real-terms pay has been falling for 18 months. How does the Minister propose to give workers in Vauxhall, and those on benefits, a real pay rise?

[Guy Opperman]

A whole host of things are being done on in-work progression. More importantly, vacancies have fallen for nine successive quarters, employment is up, the claimant count is down, economic inactivity has fallen, and disability employment is up. All those things are helping the hon. Lady’s constituents, and all other constituents up and down the country.