King's speech debate (third day) on Backing business to create economic growth.

King's speech debate (third day) on Backing business to create economic growth.

Second reading. Reasoned amendment negatived on division (118 to 340). Main question agreed to on division (341 to 195). Programme motion agreed to on question.

Second reading. Reasoned amendment negatived on division (118 to 340). Main question agreed to on division (341 to 195). Programme motion agreed to on question.

Second reading. Reasoned amendment negatived on division (112 to 333). Main question agreed to on division (332 to 176). Programme motion. Agreed to on question.

Second reading. Reasoned amendment negatived on division (112 to 333). Main question agreed to on division (332 to 176). Programme motion. Agreed to on question.

Budget debate resumed (third day). Motion that income tax is charged for the tax year 2024-25. Debate adjourned, to be resumed tomorrow.

Budget debate resumed (third day). Motion that income tax is charged for the tax year 2024-25. Debate adjourned, to be resumed tomorrow.

Third opposition day debate (part one), on a motion in the name of the Leader of the second largest opposition party (Liberal Democrats). Motion that this House recognises the remarkable contributions that the UK's 5.7 million unpaid carers make to society and the huge financial challenges many face; notes with deep concern that tens of thousands of carers are unfairly punished for overpayments of Carer's Allowance due to the £151-a-week earnings limit; believes that carers should not be forced to face the stress, humiliation and fear caused by demands for repayments of Carer's Allowance; condemns the previous Government for failing to address this scandal; calls on the Government to write-off existing overpayments immediately, raise the Carer's Allowance earnings limit and introduce a taper to end the unfair cliff edge; and further calls on the Government to conduct a comprehensive review of support for carers to help people juggle care and work. Negatived on division (87 to 335). Amendment agreed to on question. Main question, as amended, agreed to. Resolved that this House recognises the remarkable contributions that the UK's 5.7 million unpaid carers make to society; believes it is essential that carers are provided with the support they need at the time they need it; condemns the previous Government for failing to address the scandal of demands for repayments of Carer's Allowance; and welcomes the Government's review into how these overpayments have occurred, what best can be done to support those who have accrued them and how to reduce the risk of these problems occurring in future.

Third opposition day debate (part one), on a motion in the name of the Leader of the second largest opposition party (Liberal Democrats). Motion that this House recognises the remarkable contributions that the UK's 5.7 million unpaid carers make to society and the huge financial challenges many face; notes with...

King's speech debate (fourth day) on the economy, welfare and public services. Amendment negatived on division (111 to 390).

King's speech debate (fourth day) on the economy, welfare and public services. Amendment negatived on division (111 to 390).

We have a near record level of employment and very low levels of unemployment, but we are not stopping there. The Chancellor announced our back to work plan in the previous statement.

We have a near record level of employment and very low levels of unemployment, but we are not stopping there. The Chancellor announced our back to work plan in the previous statement.

I congratulate my hon. Friend on the reduction in the number of claimants in his constituency, which I know is at least in part due to the excellent jobs

fairs he assists in organising. He is right that work should pay; that is why I am very proud that mine is the party that brought in universal credit, making sure that that is exactly the case.

I congratulate my hon. Friend on the reduction in the number of claimants in his constituency, which I know is at least in part due to the excellent jobs

fairs he assists in organising. He is right that work should pay; that is why I am very proud that mine is the party that brought in universal credit, making sure that that is exactly the case.

I think the Government have already said they are not minded to pursue the scheme to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but that is not the same thing as saying that we do not take the issue extremely seriously. That is why we have extensive training provision such as SWAPs—the sector-based work academy programmes—and the WorkWell provision that we are rolling out, to which my hon. Friend the Minister for Employment has just referred.

I think the Government have already said they are not minded to pursue the scheme to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but that is not the same thing as saying that we do not take the issue extremely seriously. That is why we have extensive training provision such as SWAPs—the sector-based work academy programmes—and the WorkWell provision that we are rolling out, to which my hon. Friend the Minister for Employment has just referred.

What plans he has to increase levels of employment.

What plans he has to increase levels of employment.

My right hon. Friend is, as always, absolutely right. We must have a system that targets the most vulnerable in society, and it must also be fair to the taxpayer, because that is part of what underpins the confidence that the public have in our welfare state—and that is worth preserving.

My right hon. Friend is, as always, absolutely right. We must have a system that targets the most vulnerable in society, and it must also be fair to the taxpayer, because that is part of what underpins the confidence that the public have in our welfare state—and that is worth preserving.

My right hon. Friend is entirely right to raise that point: in the absence of this Government, the work plan will be no more. The problem is that we do not know exactly what will replace it, because there is no plan from the party opposite—no plan on work capability assessments, no plan on personal independence payments, no plan on fit notes. We do not know what Labour stands for, so let us stick with the plan, and let us elect a Conservative Government at the next election.

My right hon. Friend is entirely right to raise that point: in the absence of this Government, the work plan will be no more. The problem is that we do not know exactly what will replace it, because there is no plan from the party opposite—no plan on work capability assessments, no plan on personal independence payments, no plan on fit notes. We do not know what Labour stands for, so let us stick with the plan, and let us elect a Conservative Government at the next election.

If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

What steps his Department is taking to help reduce unemployment.

What steps his Department is taking to help reduce unemployment.

What steps his Department is taking to help reduce unemployment.

What steps his Department is taking to help reduce unemployment.

We are bearing down on unemployment, not least through the sterling work of our JCP work coaches, as well as through the back to work plan that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor recently announced.

We are bearing down on unemployment, not least through the sterling work of our JCP work coaches, as well as through the back to work plan that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor recently announced.

I thank my hon. Friend for the extraordinary work that he does locally to support people into work. He asks what support there is for those with travel challenges.

The flexible support fund is there for a variety of different uses, but one is to help with exactly the issue he raises for the first three months of employment.

I thank my hon. Friend for the extraordinary work that he does locally to support people into work. He asks what support there is for those with travel challenges.

The flexible support fund is there for a variety of different uses, but one is to help with exactly the issue he raises for the first three months of employment.

We do a huge amount with employers both at national level and at local jobcentres. If my hon. Friend has not already engaged with his local jobcentre staff, I strongly recommend that he does so. The results speak for themselves. Unemployment is around half the level in 2010 under the last Labour Government. We have near record levels of employment. Youth unemployment under this Government has fallen more than 40%; under Labour, it went up by almost 45%.

We do a huge amount with employers both at national level and at local jobcentres. If my hon. Friend has not already engaged with his local jobcentre staff, I strongly recommend that he does so. The results speak for themselves. Unemployment is around half the level in 2010 under the last Labour Government. We have near record levels of employment. Youth unemployment under this Government has fallen more than 40%; under Labour, it went up by almost 45%.

As we have set out, there is a clear and detailed back to work plan, which is working for the reasons that I have given. If the hon. Lady has examples of specific employers under the distress that she outlined, the Minister for Employment will be happy to look at what we may be able to do as a Department in her constituency.

As we have set out, there is a clear and detailed back to work plan, which is working for the reasons that I have given. If the hon. Lady has examples of specific employers under the distress that she outlined, the Minister for Employment will be happy to look at what we may be able to do as a Department in her constituency.

I have already set out that we have universal credit, as the hon. Lady identified, as well as WorkWell and universal support to address exactly the individuals to whom she referred. On the general point, it should be pointed out that economic inactivity is below the OECD, G7 and European Union average, and lower than in France, Italy and the United States and in every year under the last Labour Government.

I have already set out that we have universal credit, as the hon. Lady identified, as well as WorkWell and universal support to address exactly the individuals to whom she referred. On the general point, it should be pointed out that economic inactivity is below the OECD, G7 and European Union average, and lower than in France, Italy and the United States and in every year under the last Labour Government.