Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to help increase levels of workforce economic activity in rural areas.

The Government considers the current rate of inactivity to be unacceptably high. With nearly 2.8 million people out of work due to long-term sickness and the inactivity rate above pre-pandemic levels at 21.9% for May-July 2024, unlike most major economies, our overall employment rate has failed to recover to its pre-pandemic level.

This is why we have set a long-term ambition to achieve an 80% employment rate. We will publish a white paper which sets out further details on our plans to tackle economic inactivity, support people into good work, and help them to progress in work. The Get Britain Working White Paper will build on manifesto commitments, setting out how fundamental reform will be delivered in three, interconnected parts:

o A new public employment and careers service to help get more people into work, and on in their work.

o New, bespoke joined-up work, health and skills plans for the economically inactive, led by Mayors and local authorities to address the needs of their communities.

o A youth guarantee for all people aged 18 to 21.