Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Victoria Prentis and Damian Hinds

Monday 20th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Victoria Prentis (Banbury) (Con)]

21. What steps the Government are taking to support the self-employed.

[The Minister for Employment (Damian Hinds)]

We are building on the success of the new enterprise allowance. From April 2017, eligibility will be extended to include universal credit claimants who are already self-employed.

[Victoria Prentis]

There are 40 new businesses in Banbury currently supported by the new enterprise allowance, with about 100 more going through the developmental stage. Can the Minister reassure us that the programme is not just there to set up new businesses, but to enable them to grow?

[Damian Hinds]

Absolutely. The 40 new businesses in Banbury are a great example of what the NEA can do. In phase 2, we are introducing additional features to continue to promote sustained success in self-employment, including extending the mentoring period and ensuring there is a pre-workshop to outline the responsibilities and realities of being self-employed.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Victoria Prentis and Damian Hinds

Tuesday 21st July 2015 Commons Chamber

[Victoria Prentis (Banbury) (Con)]

12. What assessment he has made of recent trends in the level of employment.

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Damian Hinds)]

Employment stands at 31 million having increased by 265,000 over the past year, driven entirely by more people being in full-time work. We are now moving into the next phase of our recovery, with high-quality employment helping to boost productivity and raise living standards across the country.

[Victoria Prentis]

The security of a good job and a regular pay packet are of fundamental importance to people in my constituency. Can my hon. Friend assure us that he will keep backing business across the country to create more jobs?

[Damian Hinds]

I can. The Government’s long-term economic plan is working. Since 2010, we have seen the creation of 1,000 new jobs a day, but the job is not yet done. The Government will continue working through the plan to secure Britain’s economic future.