Liz Kendall responds to ONS labour market statistics

Liz Kendall MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding to the labour market statistics published by the Office for National Statistics this morning, said:

“14 years of abject Tory failure is laid bare by today’s figures.

“On the Tories’ watch, millions of people are locked out of work due to long-term sickness at huge cost to them, to business and to the taxpayer too, whilst we are now the only G7 country with an employment rate still below pre-pandemic levels, with the OBR damningly forecasting this to remain for years to come.

“The Tories cannot be the change from their own failings. Labour’s plan will tackle the root causes of worklessness by driving down NHS waiting lists, reforming social security, making work pay and supporting people into good jobs across every part of the country.”