Oral Answers to Questions

Laurence Robertson Excerpts

Monday 31st October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Jane Hunt (Loughborough) (Con)]

17. What steps his Department is taking to support more people into work.

[Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con)]

25. What steps he is taking to help more people enter the workforce.

[The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Guy Opperman)]

Unemployment is at 3.5%. That is the lowest in nearly 50 years. We have recruited an extra 13,000-plus job coaches and are taking specific action to ensure that we are rolling out our new in-work progression offer.

--- Later in debate ---

[Guy Opperman]

I thank the staff at Loughborough jobcentre. My hon. Friend is absolutely right: they are doing an outstanding job and I know they usually hold a very successful jobs fair. On the self-employed nationwide, universal credit gives them a 12-month start-up period to grow their earnings to a sustainable level. We believe that is the way forward.

[Mr Robertson]

To try to help fill the very many vacancies that exist in a number of industries, will the Minister have discussions with fellow Ministers in the Treasury to see if more changes to the tax system can be brought in to really make sure that work does pay?

[Guy Opperman]

I completely agree with my hon. Friend, who makes a very good point. It is absolutely the case that we are working on that. I highlight in particular the taper rate, which was reduced from 63% to 55%, but also the additional work we are putting into job coaches, the sector-based work academy and the increased work allowance, which makes sure that individuals get an extra £1,000.