Oral QuestionDepartment for International Trade

What recent progress her Department has made on securing a free trade agreement with India.

Tabled: 23 September 2021Answered: 21 October 2021

Asked by

Bob Blackman

ConservativeHarrow East

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for International Trade

Answer from Hansard

The Prime Minister

We are reforming a broken system—the system that we inherited. I think most people accept that it needs reform, because it traps people in unemployment and inactivity, and we need to reform it for that reason. The principles will be that we will provide support where support is needed. Where people want to get into work, we will help them into work. The current system operates against people who want to get into work and make that transition; if they can work, they should work. Moving into work is what halves the risk of being in poverty, and that is why we have invested £1 billion in tailored employment support. Of course, we are also introducing a new premium for those with the most severe lifelong disabilities who will never be able to work.