News from
Westminster 18 November 2011 Nic Dakin MP
Youth unemployment hits 1 million
This week’s unemployment figures are terrible news for young people in the Scunthorpe area. Since January there has been a 20,000 rise in young people on the dole for over six months in Yorkshire and Humber. Labour's 5 point plan for jobs and growth would get our area moving again. As part of our plan, we would levy a tax on bankers bonuses, which would help pay to get 10,000 young people back into work in our region. We need to get people back to work and off benefits, or rising unemployment will do long term damage. At the moment we are stuck in a vicious cycle. When more people are on benefits and out of work, the deficit is harder to get down. The brutal price our young people are paying for the Tory-led Government’s economic policies is now crystal clear. This Government is failing an entire generation. Whoever it tries to blame, the fact is Britain’s economic recovery was choked off a year ago and unemployment started rising again well before the recent eurozone crisis. Their decision to cut too far and too fast is hurting, but it isn't working. This country hasn’t seen youth unemployment on this scale since records began. The Government has been given a million reasons to change course on the economy.
Britain needs action, not excuses This week in Westminster, Labour MPs called on the Tory-led Government to stop blaming the Eurozone crisis for the lack of jobs and growth in Britain, and instead to adopt a real plan to support British business growth and jobs now and in the future. Labour has presented a 5 point plan for jobs and growth that would help struggling families and businesses. Government in all its forms could better use its massive buying power as a consumer to reward companies who are investing in the long term interests the British economy. Government spends £240 billion a year on goods and services and could be much smarter about achieving maximum public value for every pound it spends. Using the buying power of procurement as a lever could create thousands of apprenticeship places, support innovative business, unlock markets and create jobs. In a week during which youth unemployment hit the million mark, the Government has a million reasons to adopt a real plan for jobs and growth.
Labour’s fivepoint plan for jobs 1. A £2 billion tax on bank bonuses to fund 100,000 jobs for young people – which they would be required to take-up – and build 25,000 more affordable homes. 2. Bringing forward long-term investment projects – schools, roads and transport – to get people back to work and strengthen our economy for the future. 3. Reversing the Tory-led Government's damaging VAT rise now for a temporary period – a £450 boost for a couple with children – immediate help for our high streets and for struggling families and pensioners. 4. A one year cut in VAT to 5% on home improvements, repairs and maintenance – to help homeowners and small businesses. 5. A one year national insurance tax break for every small firm which takes on extra workers
It needs a plan for the longer term and the generations ahead; a plan for our young people who must be wondering, right now, quite what the future holds for them.
Time for a crackdown on metal theft I am getting more and more concerned about the issue of metal theft, and I think it’s time the Government sorted it out. Metal theft is becoming an epidemic, and urgent action is needed from the Home Office to stop this getting out of control. The Government should change the law to make it easier stop this organised crime and dangerous trade. The impact on all of us can be very serious. Households face repeated power cuts, commuters face increasing delays, churches and public buildings are being damaged, all as a result of escalating metal theft. The theft of electric wires is even putting lives at risk. Between April 2010 and March 2011 cable theft on the railways increased by over 70 per cent with an increase of {use statistics attached if appropriate}. Faced with crime on this scale, the Government is being far too slow to act. It is still too easy to trade stolen metal. We need a much tougher licensing regime for dealers, including requiring people selling to scrap metal dealers to prove their identity, and stronger powers for the police to investigate. We need to support legitimate trade but make it easier to stop organised crime. With the consequences becoming increasingly serious, the Government shouldn't turn a blind eye or just leave it to the police. It is time for action.