Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the shortage of workers in key sectors of the economy; and what steps they are taking to address such shortages.

The Government continually monitors the status of the labour market, which is strong by historical standards and is close to record levels of (high) employment, (low) unemployment, and (low) inactivity rates.

The Government is investing an additional £3.8 billion into skills and further education over this Parliament to ensure workers can develop the skills businesses need.

Where low pay is a barrier, the Government is supporting better pay by ensuring that all tips go to staff and increasing the National Living Wage to £10.42 an hour.

The 2019 manifesto pledged changes to enhance workers’ rights and support people to stay in work. The Government is backing five Private Members’ Bills which will deliver on these commitments - helping new parents, unpaid carers, hospitality workers, and giving employees better access to flexible working.