Alison McGovern responds to ONS labour market statistics

Alison McGovern MP, Labour's Acting Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding to the labour market statistics published this morning by the ONS, said:

“Today's labour market figures leave no doubt that 14 years of Tory misery has completely failed Britain.

“Tory failure is laid bare by the reality that we are now the only country in the G7 with an employment rate stuck below pre-pandemic levels, whilst today's figures reveal the cost of Tory chaos with a record number of people locked out of work due to long-term sickness at terrible cost to them, to business and to the taxpayer paying billions more a year in spiralling benefit bills.

“It's time for change. Labour's plan will tackle the root causes of economic inactivity by driving down NHS waiting lists, making work pay and supporting people into good jobs across every part of the country."