The verdict is in: this Government is failing an entire generation - Byrne

Tresham College

Labour's Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary and Shadow Home Secretary were both in the East Midlands yesterday, Wednesday, to call on the Government to take urgent action to tackle the gowing problem with youth unemployment.

Liam Byrne MP visited Connexions in Ashfield with local MP Gloria De Piero to hear the experiences of young unemployed people, whilst Yvette Cooper MP joined Labour's PPC for Corby, Andy Sawford, on a visi to Tresham College where she heard from young people training in beauty therapy, motor mechanics and painting and decorating.

Labour's Five-Point plan for growth With the news that youth unemployment has now reached over 1 million, Labour are calling on the government to adopt Labour's five-point plan for jobs and growth. The plan would see a Banker's Bonus Tax being introduced to create 5,500 jobs for young people here in the East Midlands.

Liam Byrne MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, commenting on today’s unemployment statistics, said:

"The brutal price our young people are paying for this Government’s economic policy is now crystal clear. The verdict is in: this Government is failing an entire generation.

"Today the Government have been given a million reasons to change course on the economy. Our country has not confronted youth unemployment on this scale since records began. And since January there has been an 83 per cent rise in young people on the dole for six months or more. The news that a million young people are standing idle must shock this out of touch Prime Minister into an economic re-think, and fast.

"Whoever the Government 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. Today’s figures show unemployment up by a huge 129,000 to the worst figure since 1994. Their decision to cut too far and too fast is hurting and just not working.

"This sacrifice is without sense. There is a better way. Labour's five point plan for jobs and growth would get young people off the dole and into jobs and stop the scars of youth unemployment returning to communities all over Britain. Today we are now stuck in a vicious cycle, with more people out of work pushing up the benefits bill and making the deficit harder to get down, not easier."