Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Glen and Chloe Smith

Tuesday 21st March 2023 Commons Chamber

[John Glen]

That is a top priority of this Government and I continue to work with colleagues across the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and other Departments to deliver it.

[Chloe Smith (Norwich North) (Con)]

15. What fiscal steps he is taking to help reduce economic inactivity.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Glen and Chloe Smith

Tuesday 7th February 2023 Commons Chamber

[Chloe Smith (Norwich North) (Con)]

15. If he will make an assessment of the potential contribution of payroll employees to supporting economic growth.

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (John Glen)]

Unemployment is at a record low of 3.7%, although we recognise that there are labour shortages due, in part, to a rise in working-age inactivity. Tackling that inactivity and supporting growth remains a priority for the Government, and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is working on a thorough review, which will conclude very shortly.

[Chloe Smith]

I am glad my right hon. Friends have taken up the urgent issue of economic inactivity. Does the Minister agree that support for disability and poor health must be improved to help people to start, to stay and to succeed at work? Will he ensure that spending on Access to Work keeps pace, and will he look at a disability employment endowment fund?

[John Glen]

Absolutely, I will look at that. The Government have already committed £1.3 billion of funding to help those with health conditions or disabilities to get into work and to thrive. This is a complex area with a number of interlocking factors, at which we are looking very carefully at this moment.