MEZIESBLOG

Good morning! Welcome to Meziesblog on this Tuesday, 26 November.

The UK government is unveiling its plans to get more people into employment in the form of the Get Britain Working white paper.

Jobcentre reform will be at the centre of the new government’s plans, as tackling the increasing number of people out of work and relying on the state for income has become a major priority, with welfare costs taking up a sizeable portion of government spending.

We expect the government to make a statement in the Commons around lunchtime, and we’ll bring you that here on MEZIESBLOG.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will have its second reading today, meaning MPs will vote on whether they support it in principle before it goes through detailed examination over the next stages.

The bill will stop people born from 2009 onwards will never be able to buy tobacco. It will also potentially lead to the banning of certain vape flavours that appeal to children, as well as an advertising and sponsorship ban.

This will all, no doubt, be discussed at this morning’s cabinet and shadow cabinet meetings, which all top politicians of both parties will be attending.

Also in the Commons, a number of parliamentary committees will be taking evidence. Among those – the environment committee will grill the boss of Ofwat (the water regulator), and the business and trade committee will hear from the business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds.

‘I’m looking to my own conscience’: Three MPs on what they think of assisted dying bill

This is politics but not as we know it.

Up and down the country public meetings are being held where attendees speak candidly, listen respectfully and pay tribute to those with whom they passionately disagree.

The MPs are often, genuinely, undecided on the subject and are more inclined to listen than to impose their views.

When it comes to assisted dying the debate feels different – underpinned by a free vote and informed by deeply personal experiences, much of it playing out in town halls and community centres.

It’s about as far away from the superficial divisions of Westminster politics as it can get.

At a gathering this week in Sandhurst, Berkshire, a young woman described her mother, who is in her 60s – a once fun, kind and energetic woman who after years fighting cancer is now fading before her eyes.

She told the silent room she feels powerless to help and broke down in tears as she appealed to Labour MP Peter Swallow to back a change in the law.

Mr Swallow, the newly elected MP for Bracknell who held the meeting, described the process of coming to a conclusion on a matter of conscience.

‘People have stolen from the state’: Minister discusses government bid to boost employment

We’ve received details of a briefing from the employment minister, Alison McGovern, about the reforms to welfare and plans to help NHS get more people into work being unveiled today.

She told the media that it is “not acceptable” that one in eight young people are not in work, not in education, and “not doing anything”.

On welfare specifically, the minister said while the rules governing it will not change, there will be “better chances and opportunities for young people”.

Sky’s Kay Burley asked if people who game the system to receive benefits are criminals, and Ms McGovern said under the Tories, there was “some dreadful criminal activity”, pointing to “a big case where a group of organised criminals stole from social security”.

Pushed on the question about the wider public more generally, she said “no one” should sign themselves off work when they’re not sick, and people should “stick to the rules”.

“Unfortunately, people have stolen from the state, and we’re bringing forward proposals to deal with that,” she said.

Government employment reforms aim to ‘serve employers better’

Government minister Alison McGovern was asked about businesses saying they will not be increasing hiring as a direct result of tax rises in the budget – and yet boosting employment is exactly what ministers want to do.

She replied that she has spoken to businesses about the proposals, and the aim of them is to “serve employers better”.

“I know that times will be tough, and I accept that,” she said.

“We have a low unemployment rate, historically speaking, but we don’t want it to get worse, and that’s why the DWP needs to serve employers much better.”

She noted that just one in six employers make use of the Jobcentre, which is “not good enough”, and means those who use the service are “not getting the best chances and opportunities” as it stands.

The minister also rejected assessments by independent watchdogs that the government’s proposed solutions to getting more people into work are not enough, saying: “We will continue to work with people and listen to them as we bring those reforms into force.”

Minister rejects assertion assisted dying bill is being rushed

The big issue of the week is that of assisted dying, with the first big vote on a Labour MP’s bid to legalise it set to take place on Friday.

Reporters asked employment minister Alison McGovern how she intends on voting, and she replied: “I haven’t decided.”

She said she has been listening to her “kind and generous” constituents who have recounted their own experiences, and she wants to listen to fellow MPs and their views during the debate on Friday.

“I think it’s so important that people are able to have a good death and that families feel that their loved one was able to die in the most peaceful way possible, in accordance with their views,” she said.

“But I haven’t decided on this issue myself.”

Asked if the bill is being rushed, Ms McGovern said: “Well, it will be debated as part of the parliamentary process, and I think that the discussion we are having about it now in the country is good.”

Pushed on the question, the minister said: “The parliamentary process has lots of opportunities for discussion. I don’t think this is different from other things.”