Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Frank Roy Excerpts
Wednesday 25th February 2015

(9 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Mundell Portrait David Mundell
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I fully acknowledge that the hon. Gentleman has been a fervent campaigner on this issue—and, indeed, on employment—in his constituency, but I am sure that he welcomes the fact that over the past five years, under this Government, the number of jobseeker’s allowance claimants in his constituency has gone down by 842—some 27%.

Frank Roy Portrait Mr Frank Roy (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab)
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9. Unemployment in the Motherwell, Wishaw and Bellshill area rose again last month, with more than 500 young people now unemployed. Why has the Tory Work programme failed them?

David Mundell Portrait David Mundell
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I absolutely dispute the claim that the Work programme has failed them. The Work programme looks to help the most vulnerable people into work, and people have moved into work over the past five years in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency, where the JSA claimant count has come down by 1,403—some 39%. I am sure that even he welcomes that.