Oral Answers to Questions

Nick Smith Excerpts

Tuesday 1st November 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

We looked at auto-enrolment but one of the difficulties was the fact that it would have been years before we could have put it fully in place and we wanted to move quickly to have the scheme in operation. It is important that we highlight the scheme and make sure that publicity is available and that businesses are aware of it. The businesses that I have met that have taken up the scheme are very appreciative of it and it helps them in those difficult first few months.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

10. What assessment he has made of the level of economic growth in (a) the UK and (b) other EU members states in the last 12 months.

[The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr Mark Hoban)]

Eurostat publishes GDP growth data on all EU member states. These data show the UK economy growing in the most recent three quarters. The IMF’s latest forecast shows the UK economy growing this year, and growing faster than the economies of France, Germany and Italy next year.

[Nick Smith]

The Times says today that the Government’s plans for growth are “piecemeal” and their implementation “patchy”. Given that long-term youth unemployment is up by 60%, do we not need a proper programme for jobs?

[Mr Hoban]

The hon. Gentleman will realise that the biggest increase in youth unemployment in recent years took place when his party was in government. This Government have put in place the long-term foundations to tackle unemployment and raise growth across the UK.