Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

William Bain Excerpts
Wednesday 2nd July 2014

(10 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Mundell Portrait David Mundell
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The hon. Gentleman sets a good example, and certainly in apprenticeship schemes offered by Members of Parliament, I support the action he has taken.

William Bain Portrait Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab)
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14. Seven out of 10 young people in Scotland who are unemployed are applying for benefit for the second time. Is that not testament to the fact that there are simply not enough secure jobs for them that pay the living wage? Why will this Government and their equally bad counterparts in Edinburgh not use the public procurement powers available to them to ensure that every Scottish young person gets the living wage?

David Mundell Portrait David Mundell
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I would have thought that the hon. Gentleman would welcome the fact that the number of those in the 16 to 19-year-old category in Scotland who are out of work has fallen by 4,000. Work is the way out of poverty, and that is what this Government are encouraging.