Oral Answers to Questions

Vicky Ford Excerpts
Monday 5th February 2018

(6 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Esther McVey Portrait Ms McVey
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The underlying principle of how we get people into work is working right the way across the United Kingdom. It is working in Scotland, and that is correct. Equally, we agree with giving extra powers to devolved Governments, and Scotland has the right to do things in its own way. As we pointed out earlier, however, some of the changes taken on board in Scotland have actually resulted in slower payment to people who need their benefits.

Vicky Ford Portrait Vicky Ford (Chelmsford) (Con)
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7. What recent comparative assessment she has made of rates of unemployment in the UK and other European countries.

Esther McVey Portrait The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Ms Esther McVey)
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The UK has the joint fifth lowest unemployment rate in the EU—better than France, the Netherlands and Denmark. The UK’s unemployment rate, at 4.3%, is the lowest in 42 years. It is less than half that of the euro area, which is 8.7%, and 3 percentage points below the EU28 average of 7.3%.

Vicky Ford Portrait Vicky Ford
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Unemployment in my constituency of Chelmsford is now less than 1.5%, and those who are able to work are finding jobs, but will the Secretary of State reassure my constituents who need our financial support that they will continue to be supported when universal credit is rolled out later this year?

Esther McVey Portrait Ms McVey
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I congratulate my hon. Friend on the work she is doing as a new MP, and her constituents on the work they are doing to find employment, getting on in their careers and moving forward. As I have said, this Government believe in hand-up support and opportunity. The support of universal credit—a benefit that supports people in and out of work—will continue not only for her constituents, but for people right across the country.

--- Later in debate ---
Guy Opperman Portrait Guy Opperman
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The hon. Gentleman and I have a meeting in our diaries for, I believe, a week Monday, when I hope to expand on that specific point. He will know that credit union membership has doubled in the past 10 years, and I can assure him that we are discussing these matters with the Treasury, which has ultimate control over credit unions.

Vicky Ford Portrait Vicky Ford (Chelmsford) (Con)
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I am a mathematician and a mother, so I am concerned that the head of the UK Statistics Authority had to write to a shadow Minister to point out that statements that they made were not based on real sources or real statistics. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the shadow Minister should apologise?

Esther McVey Portrait Ms McVey
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My hon. Friend puts it so eloquently. It is about time that Opposition Members apologise for their scaremongering.