Oral Answers to Questions

Sara Britcliffe Excerpts

Wednesday 3rd November 2021 Commons Chamber

[Sara Britcliffe (Hyndburn) (Con)]

5. What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Government’s Plan for Jobs in supporting people in work in Scotland.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Iain Stewart)]

Our UK-wide total Department for Work and Pensions spend on labour market support will increase to more than £6 billion, which will give everyone a chance to progress, work and develop the skills that they need for the modern workforce. In Scotland, we have made available more than 15,000 jobs, and approximately 8,000 jobs have already started.

[Sara Britcliffe]

Supporting young people to fulfil their potential is key to levelling up opportunity. Does my hon. Friend agree that the UK-wide kickstart scheme, which has made well over 10,000 Scottish placements available, is yet another example of the UK Government delivering for the people of Scotland?

[Iain Stewart]

I absolutely agree. If I can loop my answer back to earlier questions about labour market issues, I hope that the schemes that the Government are putting forward will help to give the next generation the skills to fill these domestic vacancies.