Oral Answers to Questions

Jane Stevenson Excerpts

Wednesday 27th October 2021 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

The right hon. Gentleman talks about cutting CO₂ in half. Well, that is virtually what this country—this Government—has done. Since 1990, we have cut CO₂ by 44% and the economy has grown by 78%. That is our approach—a sensible, pragmatic Conservative approach that cuts CO₂, that tackles climate change and that delivers high-wage, high-skilled jobs across this country. Our net zero plan will deliver 440,000 jobs. That is what the people of this country want to see, and that is what they are seeing. They are seeing wages up, they are seeing growth up, they are seeing productivity up under this Government. If we had left it to the Leader of the Opposition, who is sadly not in his place, we would still be in lockdown. That is a point that the right hon. Gentleman might bring to the attention of the Leader of the Opposition, wherever he is currently self-isolating.

[Jane Stevenson (Wolverhampton North East) (Con)]

Q4. The Prime Minister will know that my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton South West (Stuart Anderson) and I have both lobbied for funding for better training and skills provision for young people in Wolverhampton. The youth unemployment rate was unacceptably high pre-pandemic; now, sadly, it is the highest rate nationally. Will the Prime Minister urgently look at how the Government can level up opportunity so that young people in Wolverhampton can get the skills and the confidence that they need to find work?

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right about Wolverhampton; that is why we are working flat out to ensure that young people in Wolverhampton benefit from the kickstart scheme, and we are working with City of Wolverhampton Council to ensure that young people get bespoke support for their return to work.