Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Harper and Mary Macleod

Thursday 26th February 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Harper]

First, as I said in answer to the hon. Member for Livingston (Graeme Morrice), a record number of older women are in work and we have a record employment rate for older females—that is obviously good news. For those in the position that the hon. Lady sets out, we have looked at programmes to help older workers return to work. New pilots were announced in the autumn statement last year to look at barriers to work, and at our sector-based work academies and work experience programmes that are particularly tailored to the needs of older workers.

[Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con)]

Unemployment is down by 37% in my constituency. Does my hon. Friend welcome the fact that UK women are getting into work faster than in any other country in the G7, which shows that the Government’s long-term economic plan is working in my constituency?

[Mr Harper]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her question and I will be visiting her constituency tomorrow to speak to local businesses—