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Youth Unemployment and Bank Bonuses

In the 1980s and early 1990s, unemployment reached 3 million. Was that because Conservative Governments were clearing up a Labour mess? Really? I think it was because of the policies that Conservative Governments always pursue—policies that hurt young people and put more people out of work. That is the reality of Conservative Governments. Labour Members are not complacent. We do not say that it is inevitable, that it has got to happen and that 3 million unemployed is a price worth paying. Labour Members are not prepared to give up on young people and we urge the Government not to give up on them, either. In the coalition agreement, the Government said that a fundamental goal would be to"““sustain the recovery and to protect jobs.””" Before the election, the Prime Minister told voters that jobs would be his top priority. He said:"““I understand if you leave people unemployed, and short term unemployment becomes long term, then it becomes a lifetime of unemployment. It's a waste of life. I must stop it happening.””" He was right then, but he does nothing now. The Deputy Prime Minister said earlier this month that"““supporting people into work is my priority for 2012””." He is right, yet he does nothing. We must—and we will—hold the Government to their promises because we cannot allow the next generation to be denied the chance of expanded opportunities that has always been the promise of Britain.