Which party can help the young get jobs?

Jan 22 2010

With talk of a General Election in May, residents are likely to be doorstepped by candidates of every political persuasion, and the Chronicle will endeavour to raise the right questions with them in the run-up to the voting. This week, DAN HODGES asked the borough's two MPs what can be done to improve the prospects of young people looking for work this year?

Andy Slaughter, Labour MP for Shepherd's Bush: "Last month, Gordon Brown pledged another £200million specifically to help young people into work, or to stay on at college. This will mean, for example, that all 18 to 24-year-olds will be guaranteed a job or training after six months, and is on top of £5billion already invested to keep unemployment low.

"It is the reason we have much lower youth unemployment than other European countries. Independent economists estimate that, if the country had followed Tory policies in the recession, the fall in employment would have been four times greater.

Greg Hands, Conservative MP for Hammersmith and Fulham: "The fact that youth unemployment in Britain is at its highest rate ever, and higher than in the last two recessions, is something I have highlighted in the House of Commons.

"We had a long-standing problem around young people not in education, employment or training - the so-called NEETs - before the recession arrived. So solving the problems of youth unemployment will not be easy.

The damage that Labour has wreaked on the public finances makes it harder still, and much will depend on the wider task of fixing our economy.

"But there are steps that can be taken. The Conservatives published a paper in the autumn called Get Britain Working, which set out the Conservative approach in detail.

"Where the government has talked big about apprenticeships, but repeatedly missed its targets, we will fill the gap by making funds available to small businesses - helping the business, as well as developing skills.

"Because some of our young people lack the literacy, numeracy and practical skills necessary to get a job, or even start an apprenticeship, we will create new schemes at further education colleges like Hammersmith and West London College and other training providers. Too many are currently left behind, trapped in the benefits system.

"We will also pair up teenagers with sole traders for extended one-to-one work mentoring of six months.

"There is a danger of the recession creating a 'lost generation' among the young here in Hammersmith and Fulham. Labour's planned increases to National Insurance contributions add to this threat by putting more tax on jobs, and it will be the number one priority of a Conservative government to reverse them."

"There is no bigger contrast between the parties than their attitude to unemployment - Labour believes investment in young people can save a generation and avoid the mistakes of the Thatcher and Major governments.

"Locally, we need the Job Centre and local council to use these resources to match employers to school and college leavers. They don't have a good record. I was appalled that so few Westfield jobs went to young people in Shepherd's Bush and Hammersmith, and by the council sacking 1,000 mainly frontline staff.

"I worked with the PCS union to keep the Shepherd's Bush Job Centre open and expand the help it offers. I've brought ministers together with the Park Royal Partnership, representing our biggest local employer. We are lucky to have a more diverse and resilient economy than many parts of the country. We need the political will to match the talents and enterprise of our young people."