Oral Answers to Questions

James Morris Excerpts

Tuesday 27th October 2015 Commons Chamber

[John Howell (Henley) (Con)]

6. What assessment he has made of recent trends in the level of employment.

[James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (Con)]

7. What assessment he has made of recent trends in the level of employment.

[The First Secretary of State and Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne)]

We have a record number of people in work. Today’s GDP data show that Britain continues to outperform other western economies, but there are clear global risks and there is still much more to be done to fix our economy. In the autumn statement, we will take more steps to ensure the recovery is felt right across the country, make long-term investments for the future, and, crucially, continue to make the tough decisions required so that Britain lives within her means.

--- Later in debate ---

[James Morris]

Unemployment in my constituency has fallen by 50% since 2010, but, given the recent news about the difficulties in Caparo in the west midlands, we must not be complacent. Does the Chancellor agree that we need to do more to invest in training and skills, such as the new advanced science, engineering and technology centre at Halesowen college, so we can equip local people with the skills they need to take future opportunities?

[Mr Osborne]

I visited with my hon. Friend a number of the very successful businesses in his constituency; they are exactly the kind of small and medium-sized businesses that are the backbone of the British economy. They need help with their training, and Halesowen college can help to provide that training to the young people in the area, so they can get the jobs that are being created in his area.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Harriett Baldwin)]

The hon. Lady will be aware that we are in the process of considering how we implement the fourth anti-money-laundering directive. We will be looking closely at the evidence, and I encourage her to get in touch with me.

[James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (Con)]

T8. The Black Country local enterprise partnership has done an excellent job in bringing jobs and investment to the black country, but does the Chancellor agree that the time has come for local enterprise partnerships to work together with the west midlands combined authority to deliver further growth, jobs and investment for the west midlands region? [Interruption.]