Jobs Market

Viscount Younger of Leckie Excerpts

Wednesday 23rd July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

My Lords, I appreciate what the noble Lord says, but employment in the UK is at a record high—more than 34 million in March to May 2025. The number of jobs in the economy is at a record high; there is a record number of women in employment; and the proportion of 16 to 24 year-old NEETs has fallen in this quarter and, indeed, in the whole year. We are fixing the damage that the party opposite did to our economy, and we intend to continue that journey.

[Viscount Younger of Leckie (Con)]

My Lords, feedback from the latest quarterly ONS vacancy survey for April to June suggests that some firms may not be recruiting new workers or replacing workers who have left, and growth decreased in 14 out of the 18 industry sectors. It is alarming that the largest decrease in vacancies was in the construction sector—31.9%, falling by 14,000 on the quarter. The Minister talks about growth, but when is it going to start, and when is housebuilding going to start in earnest? The 1.5 million houses to be built by 2029 looks like a distant dream.

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

The noble Viscount will be aware that in March, the Government announced the new Construction Skills Mission Board, which has already met. It will help to ensure that employers are able to work collaboratively to secure the workforce they need to meet future demand, and to build the houses we so desperately need. Our department is working closely with MHCLG and across government to support the delivery of the Government’s commitment to build 1.5 million homes this Parliament. I should add that we are introducing foundational apprenticeships, which will be underpinned by an employer incentive payment to contribute to the extra cost of supporting someone at the beginning of their career. So, whether it is young people going into the workforce or into construction, or the delivery of the housing we need, we have a plan and we are working to it.