Office for National Statistics Labour Market Data

Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee Excerpts

Thursday 23rd April 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

The Government have always worked closely with the current Government of Wales and we will continue to work with any future Government in Wales. It will help if they continue to be led by the Labour Party, but we will see what the electorate decide. We are constantly aware that we must do more to support people into work. That is why we are going further with our jobs and careers services, the youth guarantee and pathways into work across the country.

[Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, in Northern Ireland, economic inactivity remains stubbornly high, as it does across the UK. Sadly, we have the highest per capita. In that context, I welcome the Government’s defence growth deal, which was announced in Northern Ireland yesterday—some £50 million of investment. Do His Majesty’s Government see such growth deals as a mechanism to try to deal with those who are economically inactive to get them into worthwhile jobs?

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

I am pleased to welcome the noble Baroness’s welcome for the defence deal. It is vital. We talk about repairing and improving the country’s infrastructure, and here we are talking about the defence infrastructure. It is a source of many high-skilled, high-paid, good-quality jobs across the whole country, including in Northern Ireland. At this point in time, the defence of our country is foremost in our minds, and this deal shows that we are very serious about it.