Analysis of the latest UK and international economic indicators

Analysis of the latest UK and international economic indicators

This paper provides the latest statistics and analysis of employment, unemployment, economic inactivity and earnings in the UK.

This paper provides the latest statistics and analysis of employment, unemployment, economic inactivity and earnings in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the construction workforce in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the construction workforce in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Department for Work and Pensions' press release entitled LinkedIn and government join forces to help jobseekers build their careers, published on 15 June 2026, what assessment he has made of the accuracy and reliability of labour...

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Department for Work and Pensions' press release entitled LinkedIn and government join forces to help jobseekers build their careers, published on 15 June 2026, what assessment he has made of the accuracy and reliability of labour...

This interactive dashboard shows data on economic growth, inflation, trade, employment, government borrowing and debt across the UK.

This interactive dashboard shows data on economic growth, inflation, trade, employment, government borrowing and debt across the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has undertaken an assessment of labour availability for businesses that rely on drivers with Category C1 entitlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has undertaken an assessment of labour availability for businesses that rely on drivers with Category C1 entitlement.

What does evidence suggest about the economic effects of policies supporting families with young children?

What does evidence suggest about the economic effects of policies supporting families with young children?

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of guaranteed hours provisions in the Employment Rights Act 2025 on access to entry-level employment and labour market flexibility.

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of guaranteed hours provisions in the Employment Rights Act 2025 on access to entry-level employment and labour market flexibility.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the number of holders of Category C1 driving licence entitlement in each age cohort; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact on workforce availability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the number of holders of Category C1 driving licence entitlement in each age cohort; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact on workforce availability.

On Tuesday 30 June 2026, the House of Commons will consider estimates of spending of the Department of Work and Pensions, in so far as it relates to spending priorities and performance. The debate will be opened by Debbie Abrahams MP.

On Tuesday 30 June 2026, the House of Commons will consider estimates of spending of the Department of Work and Pensions, in so far as it relates to spending priorities and performance. The debate will be opened by Debbie Abrahams MP.

The Bank of England has held UK interest rates at 3.75% for the fourth month in a row following continued concerns about inflation.

The Bank of England has held UK interest rates at 3.75% for the fourth month in a row following continued concerns about inflation.

I. Updated Universal Credit Guidance 2026 [update of previous guidance deposited Nov 2025, DEP2025-0769] (210 docs. plus file list) II. Letter dated 15/06/2026 from Stephen Timms MP to the Deposited Papers Clerk regarding documents for deposit in the House libraries. Incl. Annex (file list). 7p

I. Updated Universal Credit Guidance 2026 [update of previous guidance deposited Nov 2025, DEP2025-0769] (210 docs. plus file list) II. Letter dated 15/06/2026 from Stephen Timms MP to the Deposited Papers Clerk regarding documents for deposit in the House libraries. Incl. Annex (file list). 7p

Lords question for short debate on what assessment they have made of the UK's declining birth rates in an ageing population, and the impact of this demographic shift on the workforce, demand for public services and economic growth.

Lords question for short debate on what assessment they have made of the UK's declining birth rates in an ageing population, and the impact of this demographic shift on the workforce, demand for public services and economic growth.

My Lords, I am grateful for the opportunity to debate this important topic in your Lordships’ House. “Demography is destiny” is an old saying that has never felt more urgent. The UK faces a demographic shift that threatens an unfolding economic crisis. This issue has concerned me for nearly two...

My Lords, I am grateful for the opportunity to debate this important topic in your Lordships’ House. “Demography is destiny” is an old saying that has never felt more urgent. The UK faces a demographic shift that threatens an unfolding economic crisis. This issue has concerned me for nearly two...

My Lords, I declare an interest as chief executive of the Kemnal Academies Trust. I am also a non-exec director at Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Trust. I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Nargund, for securing this vital debate; it is a pleasure to listen to her expertise on this topic....

My Lords, I declare an interest as chief executive of the Kemnal Academies Trust. I am also a non-exec director at Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Trust. I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Nargund, for securing this vital debate; it is a pleasure to listen to her expertise on this topic....

I thank my noble friend Lady Nargund for raising this important issue; it was a good illustration of the expertise that is brought before this House. I recognise the important work that she has done in this area, looking at the barriers to parenthood and the need for family-friendly policies....

I thank my noble friend Lady Nargund for raising this important issue; it was a good illustration of the expertise that is brought before this House. I recognise the important work that she has done in this area, looking at the barriers to parenthood and the need for family-friendly policies....

My Lords, as we have heard, declining birth rates carry profound economic and social consequences. The story of human origins in the Book of Genesis begins with a God-given mandate to populate the Earth, and supports the basic goodness of family life. The Christian tradition has consistently affirmed the value...

My Lords, as we have heard, declining birth rates carry profound economic and social consequences. The story of human origins in the Book of Genesis begins with a God-given mandate to populate the Earth, and supports the basic goodness of family life. The Christian tradition has consistently affirmed the value...

My thanks, too, to my noble friend for opening this debate.

My Lords, it seems ironic that some of the very same politicians who framed the falling birth rate as a crisis have also pledged to bring back the two-child benefit cap. Meanwhile, the far right peddles racist conspiracy theories about...

My thanks, too, to my noble friend for opening this debate.

My Lords, it seems ironic that some of the very same politicians who framed the falling birth rate as a crisis have also pledged to bring back the two-child benefit cap. Meanwhile, the far right peddles racist conspiracy theories about...

My Lords, I am most grateful to my colleague, the noble Baroness, Lady Nargund, for having secured this debate, and to the noble Baroness, Lady O’Grady, for having introduced the business of intergenerational solidarity. I want to concentrate on the other end—not on birth but on this older population, because...

My Lords, I am most grateful to my colleague, the noble Baroness, Lady Nargund, for having secured this debate, and to the noble Baroness, Lady O’Grady, for having introduced the business of intergenerational solidarity. I want to concentrate on the other end—not on birth but on this older population, because...

My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend Lady Nargund on securing this debate, and I note how busy she seems to have been today. I have a strange feeling that she is only just getting started in your Lordships’ House—let us see what happens next. This debate is a veritable...

My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend Lady Nargund on securing this debate, and I note how busy she seems to have been today. I have a strange feeling that she is only just getting started in your Lordships’ House—let us see what happens next. This debate is a veritable...

My Lords, I, too, thank the noble Baroness, Lady Nargund, for her choice of subject—what a neatly symmetrical pairing it was. I wish I could have been here for the earlier debate.

I am one of the ageing—or, I admit, aged—generation, a very lucky generation, a post-World War II baby boomer,...

My Lords, I, too, thank the noble Baroness, Lady Nargund, for her choice of subject—what a neatly symmetrical pairing it was. I wish I could have been here for the earlier debate.

I am one of the ageing—or, I admit, aged—generation, a very lucky generation, a post-World War II baby boomer,...

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Nargund, on securing her first QSD, and on her perceptive comments after a lifetime devoted to reproductive medicine. I thank all noble Lords who have spoken. I was particularly struck when the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Chelmsford reminded us that...

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Nargund, on securing her first QSD, and on her perceptive comments after a lifetime devoted to reproductive medicine. I thank all noble Lords who have spoken. I was particularly struck when the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Chelmsford reminded us that...

I thank my noble friend Lady Nargund for introducing this debate, which is very important to the long-term future of the country. The contributions we have heard show that it is a very complicated issue which is determined not just by one factor. A lot of factors are involved, and...

I thank my noble friend Lady Nargund for introducing this debate, which is very important to the long-term future of the country. The contributions we have heard show that it is a very complicated issue which is determined not just by one factor. A lot of factors are involved, and...

You do not have to use it.

You do not have to use it.

I will do my best. The right reverend Prelate commented that family hubs will draw on what we know works from Sure Start, and the Best Start in Life programme will provide essential support for parents and families. The Government are committed to providing funds for all local authorities to...

I will do my best. The right reverend Prelate commented that family hubs will draw on what we know works from Sure Start, and the Best Start in Life programme will provide essential support for parents and families. The Government are committed to providing funds for all local authorities to...

Inflation fell to 2.8% in April 2026, but experts expect it to increase to 3.5% by the end of the year.

Inflation fell to 2.8% in April 2026, but experts expect it to increase to 3.5% by the end of the year.

The green economy is an important area of policy. It sits at the centre of the government’s plans to support economic growth and to meet the UK’s commitment to reach net zero by 2050.

The green economy is an important area of policy. It sits at the centre of the government’s plans to support economic growth and to meet the UK’s commitment to reach net zero by 2050.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, to publish her Department’s economic forecast on the impact of Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Liverpool–Manchester Railway on (a) regional productivity, (b) labour market access and (c) job and skills creation in the North-West.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, to publish her Department’s economic forecast on the impact of Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Liverpool–Manchester Railway on (a) regional productivity, (b) labour market access and (c) job and skills creation in the North-West.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases in levels of UK-EU alignment on UK labour markets.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases in levels of UK-EU alignment on UK labour markets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to Questions 112298 and 112296, what steps her Department is taking with the British sheep industry to help address workforce availability of sheep shearers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to Questions 112298 and 112296, what steps her Department is taking with the British sheep industry to help address workforce availability of sheep shearers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on the UK labour market of levels of net emigration among UK nationals aged between 16 and 34.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on the UK labour market of levels of net emigration among UK nationals aged between 16 and 34.

This briefing covers women’s participation in business and the labour market, including breakdowns by industry, occupation, region, ethnicity and disability.

This briefing covers women’s participation in business and the labour market, including breakdowns by industry, occupation, region, ethnicity and disability.

My Lords, the Government recognise that, while AI creates immense opportunities, it also transforms the workplace. To ensure continued access to meaningful employment, we are planning for all possible outcomes. We have launched the AI and the Future of Work Unit, a cross-governmental initiative supported by the AI Security Institute. This unit monitors labour market impacts in real time, accelerating vital research to anticipate disruption and protect the UK workforce.

My Lords, the Government recognise that, while AI creates immense opportunities, it also transforms the workplace. To ensure continued access to meaningful employment, we are planning for all possible outcomes. We have launched the AI and the Future of Work Unit, a cross-governmental initiative supported by the AI Security Institute. This unit monitors labour market impacts in real time, accelerating vital research to anticipate disruption and protect the UK workforce.

I thank my noble friend the Minister for his reply and welcome the industrial strategy, as well as the launch of the AI and the Future of Work Unit. My concern is that we do not appear to have tested a scenario in which AI-driven displacement materially outpaces job creation. With estimates of net employment losses of around 8%, and AI capability in some domains doubling roughly every eight months, might it now be prudent to stress-test our underlying assumptions to ensure that they remain robust?

I thank my noble friend the Minister for his reply and welcome the industrial strategy, as well as the launch of the AI and the Future of Work Unit. My concern is that we do not appear to have tested a scenario in which AI-driven displacement materially outpaces job creation. With estimates of net employment losses of around 8%, and AI capability in some domains doubling roughly every eight months, might it now be prudent to stress-test our underlying assumptions to ensure that they remain robust?

My Lords, my noble friend is right to bring up these concerns. Like all technologies, AI will reshape our world of work. We must accept that. We must embrace the new roles and opportunities that the transition brings. This is why we are committed to equipping 10 million workers with essential skills to develop and adopt AI. Furthermore, our Future of Work Unit will provide robust evidence to co-ordinate a proactive national response to these rapidly advancing capabilities, ensuring that no worker is left behind.

My Lords, my noble friend is right to bring up these concerns. Like all technologies, AI will reshape our world of work. We must accept that. We must embrace the new roles and opportunities that the transition brings. This is why we are committed to equipping 10 million workers with essential skills to develop and adopt AI. Furthermore, our Future of Work Unit will provide robust evidence to co-ordinate a proactive national response to these rapidly advancing capabilities, ensuring that no worker is left behind.

My Lords, the AI Security Institute was established primarily with a focus on frontier AI safety risks. Does the institute have the expertise and the dedicated resource to assess these systemic AI risks? What consultation is it carrying out with unions, business and trade bodies? Is it actively building on the substantial international work of the OECD, IMF and ILO on labour market risks?

My Lords, the AI Security Institute was established primarily with a focus on frontier AI safety risks. Does the institute have the expertise and the dedicated resource to assess these systemic AI risks? What consultation is it carrying out with unions, business and trade bodies? Is it actively building on the substantial international work of the OECD, IMF and ILO on labour market risks?

The noble Lord knows that we work globally with our international partners, as I said when I responded to his question a few weeks ago. The Future of Work Unit serves as a government centre of expertise on how AI is changing jobs and work. The unit works with businesses, academics and social philosophers to understand how this technology will impact the workplace and also how it will impact socially. The AI Security Institute is well placed to work with this unit.

The noble Lord knows that we work globally with our international partners, as I said when I responded to his question a few weeks ago. The Future of Work Unit serves as a government centre of expertise on how AI is changing jobs and work. The unit works with businesses, academics and social philosophers to understand how this technology will impact the workplace and also how it will impact socially. The AI Security Institute is well placed to work with this unit.

My Lords, the Government recently attended the India AI summit, with its focus on international collaboration. We know that AI works across geographies and that the impact on the labour force will be across geographies. What discussions were had around how the new Future of Work Unit and the institute will work with India or other geographies in looking at labour market disruption?

My Lords, the Government recently attended the India AI summit, with its focus on international collaboration. We know that AI works across geographies and that the impact on the labour force will be across geographies. What discussions were had around how the new Future of Work Unit and the institute will work with India or other geographies in looking at labour market disruption?

My Lords, the recent India AI summit concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi declaration on AI impact, endorsed by nearly 90 countries. The declaration promotes international co-operation on its benefits, including equitable, enhanced trustworthiness and security, and on expanding access to AI for social and economic growth. We are also signing a leader statement in support of India’s agenda this year. So we are working with India and acknowledging that we have to come together globally to address this issue.

My Lords, the recent India AI summit concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi declaration on AI impact, endorsed by nearly 90 countries. The declaration promotes international co-operation on its benefits, including equitable, enhanced trustworthiness and security, and on expanding access to AI for social and economic growth. We are also signing a leader statement in support of India’s agenda this year. So we are working with India and acknowledging that we have to come together globally to address this issue.

My Lords, I welcome the new institute, the announcement and the individuals involved. I want to ask a question about the values that the Government will take forward in thinking about this area. What practical steps are they taking to ensure that humanity is at the centre of people’s experience of work, that we are not working for algorithms, and that work is at the centre of humanity and society?

My Lords, I welcome the new institute, the announcement and the individuals involved. I want to ask a question about the values that the Government will take forward in thinking about this area. What practical steps are they taking to ensure that humanity is at the centre of people’s experience of work, that we are not working for algorithms, and that work is at the centre of humanity and society?

My Lords, that is an excellent question. Let me set out the Government’s position here. Let me also say that technology has impacted us for the last 50 years and we have risen above it. We have embraced technology in the way that we work, do business, access financial information and so on. Technology will always be here and there will be challenges, but we have to rise above them. All of us know that we have this telephone in our pockets or our handbags, and the phone is more powerful than the computer that sent men to the moon. We have the power to reach the stars and we have to do it; we have to embrace AI in all our future considerations and ensure that it is safe for everybody.

My Lords, that is an excellent question. Let me set out the Government’s position here. Let me also say that technology has impacted us for the last 50 years and we have risen above it. We have embraced technology in the way that we work, do business, access financial information and so on. Technology will always be here and there will be challenges, but we have to rise above them. All of us know that we have this telephone in our pockets or our handbags, and the phone is more powerful than the computer that sent men to the moon. We have the power to reach the stars and we have to do it; we have to embrace AI in all our future considerations and ensure that it is safe for everybody.

My Lords, the launch of the AI and the Future of Work Unit is of course very welcome, but how will it account for the varied AI growth opportunities around the country, which might be very different from place to place? It is important that we ensure that everyone can be supported into better, tailored jobs, and they need to be relevant to their local economy. We do not want a plan that is one size fits all when it needs to be varied around the regions.

My Lords, the launch of the AI and the Future of Work Unit is of course very welcome, but how will it account for the varied AI growth opportunities around the country, which might be very different from place to place? It is important that we ensure that everyone can be supported into better, tailored jobs, and they need to be relevant to their local economy. We do not want a plan that is one size fits all when it needs to be varied around the regions.

I thank my noble friend for all the work she did when she was a Minister at DSIT, especially in this whole area of AI. The AI and the Future of Work Unit is designed to ensure that AI adoption strengthens rather than fragments local economies. Working with mayoral combined authorities, local enterprise partnerships and skills providers, the unit will tailor programmes to regional strengths, whether in advanced manufacturing, financial services, life sciences or the creative industries. By aligning AI skills, business support and innovation funding with local growth strategies, we will unlock productivity gains and high-quality employment across every nation and region of the country.

I thank my noble friend for all the work she did when she was a Minister at DSIT, especially in this whole area of AI. The AI and the Future of Work Unit is designed to ensure that AI adoption strengthens rather than fragments local economies. Working with mayoral combined authorities, local enterprise partnerships and skills providers, the unit will tailor programmes to regional strengths, whether in advanced manufacturing, financial services, life sciences or the creative industries. By aligning AI skills, business support and innovation funding with local growth strategies, we will unlock productivity gains and high-quality employment across every nation and region of the country.

My Lords, the misguided use of AI in the recruiting marketplace is deeply and unnecessarily disruptive. Mass automation of largely synthetic job applications means that there are far too many applications for most jobs, often by tens of thousands. These applications are, in turn, assessed often only by AI agents, with the result that the marketplace for jobs has become slow, inefficient and ineffective. Does the Minister agree that fixing the recruiting marketplace may be the quickest way to increase employment prospects and productivity for everyone, and can he outline what steps the Government plan to take to do so?

My Lords, the misguided use of AI in the recruiting marketplace is deeply and unnecessarily disruptive. Mass automation of largely synthetic job applications means that there are far too many applications for most jobs, often by tens of thousands. These applications are, in turn, assessed often only by AI agents, with the result that the marketplace for jobs has become slow, inefficient and ineffective. Does the Minister agree that fixing the recruiting marketplace may be the quickest way to increase employment prospects and productivity for everyone, and can he outline what steps the Government plan to take to do so?

My Lords, first, I pay tribute to the noble Lord for his long-standing work in this field and for the consistent attention that he has brought to this very important matter.

We have published the Responsible AI in Recruitment guidance, which sets out good practice for procuring and deploying AI systems for HR and recruitment. This guidance highlights the mechanism that can be used to ensure the safe and trustworthy use of AI in recruitment. As highlighted in the AI Opportunities Action Plan: One Year On, where we have achieved some 38 out of 50 commitments that we set ourselves, we have taken steps to build the AI assurance ecosystem that underpins safe and responsible use of AI. I will reach out to the noble Lord and meet up with him, together with my officials, to explore this further.

My Lords, first, I pay tribute to the noble Lord for his long-standing work in this field and for the consistent attention that he has brought to this very important matter.

We have published the Responsible AI in Recruitment guidance, which sets out good practice for procuring and deploying AI systems for HR and recruitment. This guidance highlights the mechanism that can be used to ensure the safe and trustworthy use of AI in recruitment. As highlighted in the AI Opportunities Action Plan: One Year On, where we have achieved some 38 out of 50 commitments that we set ourselves, we have taken steps to build the AI assurance ecosystem that underpins safe and responsible use of AI. I will reach out to the noble Lord and meet up with him, together with my officials, to explore this further.

My Lords, my noble friend’s response to this last question was important and welcome. But can I refer him to the remarks of Dex Hunter-Torricke, the former Google executive, from a few days ago? He talked about the devastating impact that AI is now having on young people in terms of recruitment and said:

“The displacement has already begun. Entry-level roles in law, consulting, and software engineering are contracting. Graduates face a labor market narrowing faster than new roles are opening. Workers in middle-income jobs are training their AI replacements right now”.

I urge the Government to think carefully about what impact this is now having on young people in this country and what we are going to do about it, and what we are going to do with employers. This is urgent.

My Lords, my noble friend’s response to this last question was important and welcome. But can I refer him to the remarks of Dex Hunter-Torricke, the former Google executive, from a few days ago? He talked about the devastating impact that AI is now having on young people in terms of recruitment and said:

“The displacement has already begun. Entry-level roles in law, consulting, and software engineering are contracting. Graduates face a labor market narrowing faster than new roles are opening. Workers in middle-income jobs are training their AI replacements right now”.

I urge the Government to think carefully about what impact this is now having on young people in this country and what we are going to do about it, and what we are going to do with employers. This is urgent.

My noble friend is right. We will not stand by but will look proactively at the evidence of impacts on the workforce. Yes, we acknowledge that some work will be replaced by AI, but, at the

same time, new jobs will be created and we have to ensure that our workforce right across the country adopts new AI skills. That is why the Government are going to upskill 10 million people right across all sectors to ensure that they have the basic skills to incorporate and use AI to improve their productivity and so on. At the same time, we are also looking at the curriculum: AI will be taught in schools, so that, when children finish school, they will be better equipped for the new work environment.

My noble friend is right. We will not stand by but will look proactively at the evidence of impacts on the workforce. Yes, we acknowledge that some work will be replaced by AI, but, at the

same time, new jobs will be created and we have to ensure that our workforce right across the country adopts new AI skills. That is why the Government are going to upskill 10 million people right across all sectors to ensure that they have the basic skills to incorporate and use AI to improve their productivity and so on. At the same time, we are also looking at the curriculum: AI will be taught in schools, so that, when children finish school, they will be better equipped for the new work environment.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to expedite the AI Security Institute’s research into threats to economic stability arising from changes in the labour market.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to expedite the AI Security Institute’s research into threats to economic stability arising from changes in the labour market.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of pressures on the sheep shearing workforce on (a) farm businesses and (b) the sheep industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of pressures on the sheep shearing workforce on (a) farm businesses and (b) the sheep industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department has assessed the potential implications of levels of workforce availability of sheep shearers on animal welfare.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department has assessed the potential implications of levels of workforce availability of sheep shearers on animal welfare.

Motion that this House has considered place-based employment support programmes. Agreed to on question. Sitting adjourned without Question put.

Motion that this House has considered place-based employment support programmes. Agreed to on question. Sitting adjourned without Question put.

I beg to move,

That this House has considered place-based employment support programmes.

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Murrison. I am very pleased to have secured this debate. Discussions of employment policy can sometimes feel very abstract in this place; we talk about things like rates, targets...

I beg to move,

That this House has considered place-based employment support programmes.

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Murrison. I am very pleased to have secured this debate. Discussions of employment policy can sometimes feel very abstract in this place; we talk about things like rates, targets...

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that place-based employment schemes are a vital way of converting local strengths into local jobs, and that sector-specific initiatives can and should be tailored to the circumstances of individual constituencies? In North Down, there is particular potential in tourism, hospitality and the wider marine and...

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that place-based employment schemes are a vital way of converting local strengths into local jobs, and that sector-specific initiatives can and should be tailored to the circumstances of individual constituencies? In North Down, there is particular potential in tourism, hospitality and the wider marine and...

That is one in a long line of things that place-based employment initiatives can do well, so I thank the hon. Member for his intervention.

The Recruitment Junction, which works up in the north-east, mainly in Newcastle, places people with criminal convictions into paid work. It works with local employers to...

That is one in a long line of things that place-based employment initiatives can do well, so I thank the hon. Member for his intervention.

The Recruitment Junction, which works up in the north-east, mainly in Newcastle, places people with criminal convictions into paid work. It works with local employers to...

I am reminded of the JobsPlus scheme that is being run on one of our council estates in Leyton, where L&Q has been going out and actively knocking on doors. We have seen not only the young people who were the target of the scheme coming back into the work...

I am reminded of the JobsPlus scheme that is being run on one of our council estates in Leyton, where L&Q has been going out and actively knocking on doors. We have seen not only the young people who were the target of the scheme coming back into the work...

Indeed. I promise Members that I did not give my hon. Friend advance sight of my speech, but I will be talking about JobsPlus in due course. It is an amazing system and an amazing scheme.

I have touched on some of my own experiences as a young man, but it...

Indeed. I promise Members that I did not give my hon. Friend advance sight of my speech, but I will be talking about JobsPlus in due course. It is an amazing system and an amazing scheme.

I have touched on some of my own experiences as a young man, but it...

The hon. Gentleman is making a very sincere speech, and I am listening to it with great interest. He talks about youngsters’ confidence. One of the great industries that was run down during the Conservatives’ years of rule was the nuclear industry, but I believe it will be great again...

The hon. Gentleman is making a very sincere speech, and I am listening to it with great interest. He talks about youngsters’ confidence. One of the great industries that was run down during the Conservatives’ years of rule was the nuclear industry, but I believe it will be great again...

That pinpoints exactly why place-based schemes are so important. What is useful and necessary for my part of the country will not be useful elsewhere. That difference can have a positive impact on local people’s lives.

I have talked about the good things that JobsPlus can do, but despite that evidence,...

That pinpoints exactly why place-based schemes are so important. What is useful and necessary for my part of the country will not be useful elsewhere. That difference can have a positive impact on local people’s lives.

I have talked about the good things that JobsPlus can do, but despite that evidence,...