Oral Answers to Questions

Rob Butler Excerpts

Monday 6th March 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mel Stride]

I have great respect for my right hon. Friend, but I am afraid that although he tempts me to answer that question, I cannot prejudge the decisions that I will take in the review.

[Rob Butler (Aylesbury) (Con)]

3. What steps he is taking to reduce levels of economic inactivity among working-age people.

[Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con)]

10. What steps he is taking to reduce levels of economic inactivity among working-age people.

[Rob Butler]

One of the keys to getting working-age people to return to work is obviously providing the right incentives, such as the training programmes and advice provided by my right hon. Friend’s Department—the likes of Jobcentre Plus—but it is also important to remove disincentives. What discussions is he having with Treasury colleagues about ensuring that tax policy, especially on pensions, does not stand in the way of people who have skills and experience staying in, or returning to, the workplace?

[Mel Stride]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important matter, which of course is well known to the Chancellor and Treasury colleagues. We have a variety of discussions with the Treasury on those kinds of matters and others. Of course, tax policy is a matter for the Treasury.