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Economic Downturn (Unemployment)

I was delighted to visit Wiltshire, indeed to visit the hon. Gentleman’s constituency, to see Lackham college, which is part of Wiltshire college, to see what it is doing in terms of developing apprenticeships as part of Wiltshire county council’s excellent application that was successful for just over 400 jobs, I think. Those jobs ranged from installing energy-efficient measures in people’s homes to sports and leisure work and environmental enhancements. I met people who would be entering apprenticeships in horticulture and agriculture, and in plant and machinery work. Those are all the sorts of things that will support the rural economy, which I know the hon. Gentleman cares about very deeply. Of course, there is more that the Government need to do than just to tackle youth unemployment, however important that is. For other people, we have ensured that work trials and executive recruitment agencies are available from day one of a claim for those people who will benefit from those things. We have brought forward mortgage interest support, to be available after three months of a claim instead of after six months.