Oral Answers to Questions

Robert Halfon Excerpts

Monday 10th September 2012 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con)]

1. What estimate he has made of the number of people moving from benefits to work in Harlow constituency in each of the last six months.

[The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Mr Mark Hoban)]

Figures are not available for flows from all benefits into work. Over the past six months, 3,330 people have left the claimant count in Harlow. Research suggests that, nationally, around two thirds of people leaving jobseeker’s allowance enter work.

[Robert Halfon]

I thank my hon. Friend for his reply and congratulate him on his appointment. Is he aware that the number of apprenticeships in Harlow has increased by 76%? Will he also note that we have a long way to go to increase employment in Harlow and therefore support the Harlow jobs fair that I am backing, which is supported by 100 local businesses, Harlow jobcentre and Seetec, and throw his weight behind it?

[Mr Hoban]

First, I thank my hon. Friend for his congratulations. We have a lot to do, but the numbers of people in work have increased since the Government came to office. I congratulate him on setting up the jobs fair and am delighted that Jobcentre Plus has worked with him to ensure that it is as effective as it can be so that it gets as many people in Harlow as possible into work.