YOUNG PEOPLE IN DERBY ARE CRYING OUT FOR ACTION ON JOBS

The number of young people out of work for a year in Derby North is up 380% in the last year, and throughout the country it has quadrupled.

Across Derby more than 330 young people would be helped into work if the Government brought in Labour’s Real Jobs Guarantee. Ministers should stop talking and start acting on youth jobs.

The headline fall in unemployment is a welcome respite in a blizzard of bad economic news. But the number of young people on the dole long term has see a fourfold increase in just 12 months and long term unemployment rose sharply again.

Moreover the number of people claiming welfare payments went up yet again, but this out of touch and complacent Government is refusing to bring in a plan for jobs and growth.

These are exactly the people the Government’s Work Programme is supposed to get into jobs, and today is fresh evidence that the beleaguered Work Programme isn’t working.

Although British business is doing its bit, it’s a shame that this Tory-Lib Dem Government is doing so little to help. In fact, around the country the business community is complaining about the bewildering confusion of back to work schemes, none of which appear to be helping.

George Osborne’s failed policies have delivered a double-dip recession and a £150bn of extra borrowing, which is holding Britain back. We urgently need a plan for jobs and growth to get the economy moving again and Ministers should start by bringing in Labour’s Real Jobs Guarantee to get our young people back to work.