Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Priti Patel and Michelle Donelan

Monday 7th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Michelle Donelan (Chippenham) (Con)]

Will the Minister please inform the House of the specific plans for constituencies such as mine which have very high rates of employment but suffer proportionally high rates of long-term unemployment?

[Priti Patel]

I know that my hon. Friend is doing a great deal of work locally in the employment space through apprenticeship fairs and things of that nature. When it comes to supporting people who are suffering long-term unemployment, we are working with our jobcentres and employers and, importantly, Work programme providers to get people closer to the labour market, to support them through training schemes and to nurture them so that they have an easier, smoother journey into work.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Priti Patel and Michelle Donelan

Monday 2nd November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Michelle Donelan (Chippenham) (Con)]

Does the Minister share my view that a huge part of tackling youth unemployment is ensuring that people leave the education system work-ready? What has been done to help achieve that?

[Priti Patel]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right in what she says. I know that she is doing a great deal in her constituency to champion apprenticeships, which of course support young people not just in getting into work, but in developing long-term careers.