Employment: Government Policy Earl Russell asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether or to what extent the article by the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in the Observer of 14 January represents government policy. [HL367] The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone) Yes, the Secretary of State's article in the Observer of 14 January set out government policy. It considered some of the different ways we are working to increase the employment rates of disadvantaged groups. We want to ensure the difficulties stopping people moving into work are tackled effectively. At the same time we want to identify and deal with the minority of people who refuse to accept their responsibilities.