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Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Rob Wilson (Conservative). It was answered on Monday, 14 September 2009 on behalf of the South East Regional Grand Committee.

Unemployment

Question
I thank the Minister for that answer, but it is truly shocking that in my constituency unemployment is now 65 per cent. higher than it was in 1997. It is also catastrophic that in a region such as this the number of working age, economically inactive people stood at almost 20 per cent. in June. That means that, in reality, one in five people in my constituency are not working. We can see every day the enormous social consequences of that. Can the Minister confirm that that is actually the true picture of unemployment and would he like to apologise to all those people who have lost their jobs and lost their home as a result of his Government’s actions?
Answer

The hon. Gentleman rather ruined his point towards the end. Perhaps he should apologise because his party has not supported the future jobs fund, the house building programme or the fiscal stimulus. He will be aware that according to the July figures, about 34,000 people lost their jobs, but at the same time around 30,000 people left the jobseeker’s allowance. It is dynamic—the unemployment figures are not piling up and up as we have seen in previous recessions. We are not seeing a large increase in unemployment, or increases in long-term unemployment. People are finding work. The economy is dynamic, and if you speak to employers across the region, the picture is mixed. In some areas, particularly in construction as I have said, we have seen many people lose their jobs. In other areas such as defence or rail, the Engineering Employers Federation was generally positive about the current situation and its prospects. We are assisting businesses. For example, the time to pay initiative is ensuring that £500 million stays with businesses in deferred taxes. I am well aware that people have lost their jobs, but I am also aware that we are actively assisting them. That is why we are putting additional staff into our Jobcentre Plus programme, and why the hon. Gentleman’s authority can bring forward bids for the future jobs fund, which is designed to help our long-term, young unemployed. Action has been taken on housing, as well as to assist young people, to help businesses to defer payments and business health checks have been conducted—between 13,000 and 14,000 have been done in this region, more than any other in the country. We are being proactive and stepping forward, not sitting back, doing nothing, and waiting for the recession to take its course.

Secondary information

Type
Oral question
Reference
SERGC c16 
Session
2008-09
Oral question type
1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
Subjects
Reading (Berkshire) Unemployment Berkshire South East
Link
View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk