We must help young people in this recession

We must help young people in this recession.

People in Great Yarmouth well remember how a generation of young people was cruelly left behind in the 80s and 90s, scarring families and communities.

We must never again repeat the failed policies of the past. Back then the Tories failed to support young people and they would repeat their mistakes now as they oppose Labour's help to get people back into work quickly.

The Tories are sometimes accused of abandoning a generation.  The truth is they abandoned several generations.

I support the Government's £5 billion extra investment to help people get back into work quickly.  This money is paying for more jobcentreplus staff and more opportunities for people of every age. It is real help now, right when people need it.

Labour's investment means that this September the Government is able to guarantee work or training to every 18 to 24 year-old. Investment sadly opposed by the Tories.

And Labour’s Future Jobs Fund – £1 billion targeted investment to make sure every young person is guaranteed a job not abandoned on the dole – will mean thousands of jobs across every part of the country. This was also opposed by the Tories.

But I know that locally young people are concerned about the state of the jobs market and what they do next.  The Labour Government has put in place new jobs, more apprenticeships and more training and learning opportunities.

The Tories say we can’t afford to help, but the truth is we can’t afford not to. Abandoning a generation would cost us all more in the long run, and devastate entire communities.

But we must go further. That’s why I will be working this summer with businesses, charities and community groups round here so that everyone plays their part in giving young people the chance they deserve.

I'm determined that we will not lose a generation of our young people to unemployment or lost opportunity because of the global recession.  By taking these steps we can make sure our young people in Great Yarmouth, and Britain as a whole, are not left behind.

Tony.