Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Work and Pensions

Oral Answers to Questions

Mike Amesbury Excerpts
Monday 7th October 2019

(4 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mims Davies Portrait Mims Davies
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My right hon. Friend knows that, if it were up to me, I would love to extend the national living wage down to 18, but sadly this is down to the Treasury; I will question the relevant Ministers accordingly.

Mike Amesbury Portrait Mike Amesbury (Weaver Vale) (Lab)
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Well-paid, secure work is a good route out of poverty, yet far too many young people—11%—are not in education, employment and training under this Government; or they are in low-paid jobs and on zero-hours contracts. Will the Minister press the Chancellor to set the national living wage at the same rate for all young people in work, as Labour has committed to do—£10 an hour in 2020?

Mims Davies Portrait Mims Davies
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Everybody in this Chamber speaking up for our young people does all our communities a great service. We need a mixture of chances and opportunities for young people, including through mentoring. I am particularly interested in the work that we do with schools around engagement with jobcentres. [Interruption.] It is not all about money; it is also about skills and opportunities. I hear the hon. Gentleman, as do many colleagues, and I hope the Treasury will too.