Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Chris McCafferty (Labour). It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 March 2010 on behalf of the Treasury.

Budget 2009

Question: What recent assessment he has made of the effect on the economy of his Department's policies introduced in Budget 2009.

Answer: Since the Budget more than 3.5 million people have been helped off jobseeker's allowance— Yes, I was. ...In the past year more than 3.5 million people have been helped off benefits and back into work, while more than 300,000 people have been helped to stay in their homes and more than 160,000 businesses have been helped to defer more than £5 billion in taxes. Together, those measures have helped our economy return to growth. I am pleased that because of the measures that we have taken over the past year, unemployment in my hon. Friend's constituency is not only lower than the UK average, but lower than the average for Yorkshire and the Humber. Thanks to the Government help that has been put in place, the partnerships to which she referred have now delivered more than 350 jobs to the local community. We have no plans to take away that support, which is helping to get people back into work. We still provide the young person's guarantee which helps young people to obtain jobs when they have been out of work for six months, and extra help is also available to those aged over 25 who are in that position.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 507 c708-9; 322186
Session: 2009-10
Oral question type: Lead
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Related items: Budget 2009
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Proceeding contributions
House of Commons
Subjects: Public expenditure
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk