Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Margot James and Chloe Smith(10 years, 2 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Chloe Smith (Norwich North) (Con)
6. How many shops in (a) England, (b) Norwich local authority area and (c) Broadland local authority area have benefited from the reduction in business rates.
Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con)
10. How many shops in (a) England and (b) Stourbridge constituency have benefited from the reduction in business rates.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Margot James and Chloe Smith(12 years, 8 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Miss Smith
I would be sure that the hon. Gentlemen’s constituent in that case took a clear look around at the opportunities available throughout the economy. I refer him to my previous response, which is that vacancies were up in the three months to January 2012. There are jobs out there: hon. Members need only to hear, for example, this morning’s announcement from Nissan—somewhere near the hon. Gentleman’s constituency—to know that there is work available.
Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con)
Is my hon. Friend aware that, according to the Office for National Statistics, there are currently 476,000 job vacancies? It should be possible for a couple, between them, to find an extra eight hours’ work. Does she agree?
Miss Smith
I do agree with my hon. Friend. As I have said already, it is a question of fairness. This measure asks a couple to do what a lone parent has always had to do, and I think that is fair.