Employment

Lord McKenzie of Luton Excerpts
Thursday 19th November 2015

(9 years, 1 month ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Baroness Altmann Portrait Baroness Altmann
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, there have indeed been concerns about disparities but they are reducing significantly. The plans for the northern powerhouse will make a difference. The latest figures from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and KPMG show that the Midlands and the north led a broad rise in demand for permanent staff, with salaries rising as well.

Lord McKenzie of Luton Portrait Lord McKenzie of Luton (Lab)
- Hansard - -

What evidence do the Government have that docking £30 a week from half a million disabled people in the work-related activity group will act as a work incentive and help close the disability employment gap?

Baroness Altmann Portrait Baroness Altmann
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

It is indeed the aim of this Government to halve the disability employment gap. The reforms to the employment and support allowance are designed to ensure that we have the right incentives in place to help people in the work-related activity group, of whom 61% do want to move into work, to do so.