Topical question asked in the House of Commons, by Peter Bone (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 20 November 2008 on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Topical Questions

Question: Unfortunately, unemployment in Wellingborough is 15 per cent. higher now than it was in 1997. Can the Secretary of State say what efforts his Department will make to give at least some hope to my constituents that the unemployment levels will return to those of 1997?

Answer: I will certainly look at the situation that the hon. Gentleman describes in Wellingborough, because it is not in line with what has happened across the country as a whole, where there are 3 million more people in work today than there were 10 years ago. However, the key thing is for the Government to take whatever action is necessary to be on the side of people and employers in this country. That means, in common with the view around the world, that we take both the monetary and the fiscal measures that are necessary to get us through the recession as quickly as possible. I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman's party has set its face against those messages, which frankly means that it is promising much worse times for the people of Wellingborough.

Secondary information