Economic Outlook and Furlough Scheme Changes Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Economic Outlook and Furlough Scheme Changes

Laura Trott Excerpts
Tuesday 16th June 2020

(3 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jesse Norman Portrait Jesse Norman
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Of course we want to ensure that there is a phased return to normality. That is what the delay and the extension of the two schemes is designed to do, so we do recognise that concern. I remind the hon. Gentleman that the OECD has predicted the strongest bounce back for this country. That may well be because of our extremely flexible labour markets, from which I hope we continue to benefit as we come out of this dreadful situation.

Laura Trott Portrait Laura Trott (Sevenoaks) (Con)
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I am sure that the whole House will welcome the remarkably stable unemployment figures this morning, which are testament to the huge amount of support that the Treasury has put into retaining employment. May I urge my right hon. Friend to put the same amount of effort into creating jobs during the recovery, including encouraging inward investment and tech hubs—including some in Sevenoaks?

Jesse Norman Portrait Jesse Norman
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Tech hubs in Sevenoaks are my regular reflection; I thank my hon. Friend very much for her question. Of course, she is absolutely right. As we think about a more sustainable, greener and more productive economy, we need to be thinking about how our whole industrial strategy and posture will change, and I have no doubt that it will involve continued investment and support for technology in all its manifestations across the UK.