Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Evans of Rainow Excerpts

Tuesday 5th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Nicky Morgan]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. We will always look at the evidence, and if cares to write to me, we will certainly take that into account.

[Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con)]

5. What estimate he has made of the number of jobs created in the private sector in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

[Nigel Adams (Selby and Ainsty) (Con)]

11. What estimate he has made of the number of jobs created in the private sector in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [R]

[The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne)]

In the past year, employment in the private sector has increased by 380,000, more than offsetting the fall in public sector employment of 104,000. For every public sector job lost, more than three have been created in the private sector. That confounds the predictions of those who thought it could never happen.

[Graham Evans]

Unemployment in my constituency is lower than it was when I became the MP. With the further good news that Waitrose is creating 140 new jobs in Northwich later this month, will my right hon. Friend the Chancellor set out how small and medium-sized enterprises will benefit from a reduction in national insurance contributions?

[Mr Osborne]

I am delighted by the news of the new jobs being created by Waitrose in Northwich; as my hon. Friend well knows, I represent part of that town. That will be good for the people who live in it, and I hope that some of my constituents will find work there. The employment allowance, which we debated in this Parliament this week, is going to take £2,000 off the national insurance bill of every firm, but the biggest benefit will be felt by the smallest companies; 450,000 firms will be taken out of employer NICs altogether. That is a real boost for business, and it shows how we can help to support the recovery.