HL Deb 28 July 1993 vol 548 cc131-2WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are content that while the number of male workers in employment has steadily diminished since 1977, the number of proportionately lower-paid female workers has steadily increased, and what effect they deem this to have on the well-being of individuals and of families.

Viscount Ullswater

The level of employment is a major determinant of living standards. By helping to create a climate to stimulate wealth and job creation, government policies have made a major contribution to rising household incomes. Between 1979 and 1990–91 real incomes rose by an average of 35 per cent. The Government recognise that the current level of unemployment is too high and that it has a major detrimental effect on living standards. That is why the Government provides a wide range of programmes to help unemployed people get back to work.