To ask the Minister for the Economy what discussions he has had with his Executive colleagues regarding the consistently high rates of economic inactivity.

Question 9 – AQO 937/22-27

Economic inactivity is an important policy area that is led by the Minister for Communities.

I am committed to working with him and other Executive colleagues to help address the barriers to employment.

Our Departments work together to support individuals into employment through the Labour Market Partnerships, where officials from my Skills team and Careers Service are represented.

We have also developed joint projects to deliver interventions such as Step Up, JobStart and Entrepreneurship, as well as working together on research and sharing of data to inform future policy development.

DfE officials have been engaging with Community Wealth Building initiatives to explore potential options to reduce economic inactivity in Larne and the North West.

There is also collaboration between departments, including Education on the Executive priority to provide high quality, affordable childcare to enable parents and carers to participate in employment and education.