Unemployment: Stoke-on-Trent

17 Mar

Question

The question session in the House of Commons focused on the issue of unemployment in Stoke-on-Trent, specifically efforts to reduce unemployment levels through comprehensive strategies that address underlying causes like mental health. Highlighted was the Government's intent to integrate health and work support to enhance economic activity.

Outcome

This session underscored the Government's commitment to tackling economic inactivity by implementing holistic plans involving work, health, and skills support. Gareth Snell effectively achieved a government commitment to visit Stoke-on-Trent to witness ongoing efforts firsthand.

Key Contributions

Gareth SnellMP

Labour

Questioned the Government's approach to reducing unemployment in Stoke-on-Trent.

Alison McGovernMinister

Not specified

Acknowledged the unemployment rate and pointed out economic inactivity due to ill health.

Original Transcript

Gareth Snell

Stoke-on-Trent Central

Lab/Co-op

Question

UIN: 903207

14. What steps her Department is taking to help reduce levels of unemployment in Stoke-on-Trent.

Gareth Snell

It is clear that the Government are making a serious attempt to remove the barriers preventing people with mental health conditions from entering work.

May I issue an invitation to the Minister, and commend to her the work of the combined healthcare trust in Stoke-on-Trent and its peer support mentors?

These are people who have overcome mental health challenges and now work with other people struggling with their own mental health to build confidence and opportunity.

Whatever plan the Government introduce, work of this kind should be central to it, and I think that if they came to see it, they would be very impressed.

Alison McGovern

I would love to come to Stoke—[Interruption.] There are so many football-related jokes that I could make at this point, but I will not trouble the House. I would love to come to Stoke, and not just on a wet Tuesday night. My hon.

Friend makes the case for exactly the strategy that underpins our reform, which is to join up health and work support. I have seen in my own constituency the power of peer mentors for mental health conditions, and I would love to come and see the brilliant work that my hon. Friend has described.

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