Chloe Smith MP urges Ministers to stay the course on employment

Chloe Smith, Member of Parliament for Norwich North, urged the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to stay the course and help more young people into employment during Treasury questions in the House of Commons.

Reflecting on the unprecedented success of her local jobs scheme, Norwich for Jobs, which has helped over 1,500 young people into paid employment or training, she noted the UK’s strong position on youth employment in comparison with the rest of the EU member states:

• The UK has seen more net employment growth over the past four years than the rest of the EU put together.


• According to the same figures six in ten of our young people are in work, better than Germany, Ireland and France and far better than Greece’s one in four.

In response to Chloe’s question, the Chief Secretary stated:

“My honourable friend is absolutely right and it shows this Government’s success in achieving economic growth through a balanced plan [for increasing employment].”

The Chief Secretary also noted that women in employment is at its highest level, further contributing to a positive record of job creation; this Government has overseen the creation of over 1,000 jobs for each day of this parliament and the 2 millionth apprentice has today been taken on.

Speaking after Treasury questions, Chloe said:

“A strong economy is best reflected in its ability to deliver jobs. This Government’s policies have seen the creation of over 1,000 jobs for each day of this Parliament, and more young people in work.

“As a result, the UK now stands at the head of Europe, with greater net employment growth over the last four years than the rest of the EU put together.  The lesson of Greece, where three in four people under thirty are out of work, still shows today what could happen if we veered off a long-term economic plan.”

“The Norwich for Jobs community project, which I lead, has achieved something amazing in securing chances in Norwich for over 1,500 young people, and bringing unemployment down faster in Norwich than elsewhere in the country. Getting our young people into work is a passion for me.”