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Youth Unemployment and Bank Bonuses

I welcome this opportunity to discuss youth unemployment and bank bonuses. Both matters are hugely important as we tackle this country's extremely difficult economic circumstances. The recent youth unemployment figures demonstrate just how significant a challenge we face repairing the damage that the previous Government inflicted on the economy, restoring growth and creating new jobs in the recovery. This coalition Government will not let the young and the vulnerable bear the brunt of these difficult times, nor will we let them bear the consequences of the previous Government's profligacy. Youth unemployment is not a price worth paying. One thing that the shadow Chief Secretary failed to mention was the record of the Labour Government, who oversaw a 40% rise in youth unemployment.