Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Office for National Statistics' labour market statistics data published in February 2021, what steps she is taking to tackle the disproportionate rise in unemployment among (a) Black African, (b) Black Caribbean and (c) Black British people compared to white people in the UK from 2019 to 2020.

The Government is committed to levelling up and uniting the country, including improving the employment outcomes of people from ethnic minority backgrounds. Throughout these unprecedented times the Government has provided a crucial safety net to record levels of claimants, ensuring all our customers receive the support they need, when they need it.

We have focussed on providing financial and extensive support through our Plan for Jobs. This will protect, support and create jobs, targeting young people, the long term unemployed, and those in need of new training and skills. The Plan for Jobs includes the Kickstart scheme, an expanded youth offer, and the expansion of the Work and Health Programme, all offering new support to those, including those from ethnic minority backgrounds, who lose their job during the pandemic.

The Government is also considering the recommendations on how to increase opportunity and ensure fairness for all made in the recent independent Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report.