Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment his Department has made of the reasons why the level of unemployment in Wolverhampton North East constituency is more than twice the national average; and what steps his Department is taking to lower the rate of unemployment in Wolverhampton North East constituency.

The unemployment rate in Wolverhampton North East is less than half it was in 2010. At 7.1%, it is down from 12.1% a year ago and 16.4% in 2010. There are 5,100 more people in work in Wolverhampton North East than in 2010.

Jobcentre staff are doing an effective job helping people into work and 90% of Jobseekers end their claim within a year. We are proud of this record but not complacent. That is why we are currently introducing targeted support for young people, people with disabilities and the long-term unemployed.

Reforming the welfare system is key to helping people into work. Under the last Labour Government, some benefit claimants lost £1 for every £1 they earned meaning it didn’t pay to work and people were left trapped on benefits. Under the new system, people benefit from every extra hour worked, so work really pays and people have the opportunity to become more financially secure and develop skills to access greater opportunities.

Only by securing a strong economy can we create the jobs people need to be financially secure. That’s why we’ve kept public spending under control while acting to boost productivity over the long-term by increasing the National Productivity Investment Fund by £8 billion. As part of locally specific support for the West Midlands, we are providing up to £4.7m for a trial in the region to help boost the prospects of disadvantaged individuals getting jobs and progress the careers of those on low incomes.