Oral Answers to Questions

Stuart Anderson Excerpts

Monday 7th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Stuart Anderson (South Shropshire) (Con)]

10. What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the accessibility of jobcentres to people living in rural areas.

[The Minister for Employment (Alison McGovern)]

We need jobcentres to be better everywhere, including those in rural areas with unique challenges. In the autumn we will publish a White Paper on our plans to transform the employment support system, which will change jobcentres. I welcome input on that issue from Members from all parts of the House.

[Stuart Anderson]

In South Shropshire, youth unemployment has risen over the past month. What is the Minister going to do to stop this worrying trend in rural communities like mine?

[Alison McGovern]

I thank the hon. Member for bringing that point to the House; it is a major focus of the work that is currently going into the White Paper. We have had very worrying developments for young people since the pandemic, and we need to do much better to give them the best possible start in life. I will say it again: on this issue we welcome input from Members on all sides of the House.