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Dept for Work and Pensions

Answer

Mrs. Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the impact of measures to create jobs in Peterborough since 11 September. [11712] Malcolm Wicks: The current labour market position in Peterborough is strong. The claimant unemployment rate in September 2001 was 2.3 per cent., below the national average of 3.1 per cent. Total unemployment in the constituency has fallen by 40 per cent. in the last four years. Over the same period the number unemployed for one year or more has fallen by two thirds, while the number of 18-24 year olds unemployed for six months or more is down by almost 75 per cent. Our aim remains employment opportunity for all throughout the country. We have put in place a framework that delivers: a platform of economic stability and low inflation, to promote sustained growth in output and jobs; investment in education and training so people have the skills they need to take up work; a labour market policy with a strong work focus so all jobless people have access to vacancies, advice and help with jobsearch; a range of New Deal programmes which help disadvantaged groups move from welfare into work; policies such as the National Minimum Wage and Working Families Tax Credit designed to make work pay; and locally focused initiatives designed to tackle the problems of particular areas, such as Action Teams for Jobs. These policies, alongside continued economic growth, have combined to ensure steady improvement in the labour market.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

11712; 374 c571-2W

Session

2001-02

Question not reached

Yes

Subjects

Job creation Unemployment Peterborough

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk