Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Simon Clarke and Stephen Crabb

Tuesday 28th June 2022 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire) (Con)]

Thanks to this Government, we have record low unemployment and more job vacancies than jobseekers, but almost 9 million people are economically inactive, including many who can work and many who have worked in the recent past. Does my right hon. Friend agree that getting more of this group back into work is key to filling the labour shortages that many Members have spoken about today, and to strengthening our economy for the longer term?

[Mr Simon Clarke]

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right, and he knows about this from his time as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. There is no doubt in my mind that the work we are doing, through the spending review, to provide more than £1.1 billion of measures to support disability employment and the effective management of health in the workplace will be important. The Government’s Way to Work programme is yielding fantastic results, and is a sign of our intention in this space.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Simon Clarke and Stephen Crabb

Tuesday 7th January 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mr Clarke]

I thank my hon. Friend, who is very persistent in this area. I would be delighted to meet him to discuss following up on this issue.

[Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire) (Con)]

The Minister is right about the growing role that renewables are playing in our energy mix, as 2018 was the greenest year on record for our energy system. Does he agree that the UK’s track record on cutting emissions, while maintaining jobs growth and economic growth, is remarkable at a global level and should be applauded?

[Mr Clarke]

I thank my right hon. Friend for that question. It is worth noting that between 1990 and 2016 the UK reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 42% while growing its economy by more than two thirds. We should be proud of that record; it shows that we are on track to meet our targets.