PM’s plan for jobs and skills is key while helping the less well-off
I’VE spent the past couple of days in Manchester at the Conservative Party conference. There has been a large focus on Boris Johnson’s plan to “build back better” – and it’s important to understand what exactly is entailed by this, and what it means for my constituents.
An extension to the Government’s plan for jobs – launched last year – was announced. It helps people back in to work and makes sure the most vulnerable in society have the right skillset and support they need to do so. The unemployment rate for people aged 16-64 in my constituency fell from 4.1% in July to 4.0% in August, and remains well below the UK average.
These figures represent the continuation of a trend of falling unemployment in our constituency since the first wave of the pandemic, and its clear the Government’s plan for jobs is working.
During my time in Manchester, I spoke at a fringe event regarding Universal Credit and how we can work to make the benefits system work in a post-pandemic world.
I have been outspoken in the past regarding the £20 uplift in payments coming to an end but I am glad the Government has
Falling unemployment in our constituency shows that the Government’s plan for jobs is working
acknowledged the aftermath of the pandemic and announced a £500 million Household Support Fund to help the most vulnerable families meet essential costs this winter.
There were also announcements surrounding social care and how to tackle the long-term structural weaknesses present in the current system. A review into the leadership of social care is imminent and I welcome proposed changes for the structure and efficiency of social care as not everyone is getting the level of treatment they deserve.
Additionally, around £12 billion a year of extra funding will be allocated to health and social care services over the next three years, which I imagine will be welcome news to my constituents.