Blair McDougall

Blair McDougall

Labour — East Renfrewshire

Speaking in the House of Commons on 11 November 2026

Debate

Employers

Contribution

Unemployment is still lower than in comparable economies—[Interruption.] The hon. Gentleman asked the question, so I will answer. Employment is up and inactivity is down in this country. It is precisely because we are concerned about youth unemployment that we are introducing measures such as the £2,000 hiring payment for smaller employers to take on young people and the £3,000 jobs grant for those at risk of sliding into youth unemployment. As several hon. Members have noted, that is in stark contrast with the increase of a quarter of a million in youth unemployment and inactivity in the last few years of the Conservative Government.

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