questionText: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the increase in the unemployment rate to 5 per cent in the first quarter of 2026; what estimate his Department has made of the number of additional people expected to become unemployed over the next 12 months; and what steps the Government is taking to support people back into work in sectors experiencing the sharpest decline in vacancies, including hospitality and retail.
answerText: The unemployment rate has fallen 0.2%pts on the quarter to 5.0%. We work closely with employers in sectors such as hospitality and retail to help people move into work, including where vacancy levels have reduced. This is delivered through a consistent em...
heading: Unemployment: Government Assistance