John Biggs AM today renewed calls for Mayor Boris Johnson to create a Jobs Guarantee for all Londoners under 24 years old who have been out of work for a year or more. Today’s unemployment figures show there are 7,270 young Londoners who would qualify for this scheme. This has increased from 4,420 in January 2012.
The Jobs Guarantee would give 21 hours per week of work experience, paid at the London Living Wage for six months. This is one of the key measures in the London Assembly Labour Group’s amendment to the Mayor’s draft 2013-14 budget for London. The amendment and proposals focus on protecting frontline services, easing the cost of living crisis and helping young Londoners into work.
The Mayor’s Draft Budget and the London Assembly Labour Group’s alternative proposals will be debated and voted on for a second and final time on Monday at City Hall.
In Tower Hamlets, the number of people under 24 out of work for more than a year is:
- 510 young people in January 2013
- 400 young people in January 2012
In Newham, the number of people under 24 out of work for more than a year is:
- 415 young people in January 2013
- 285 young people in January 2012
In Barking and Dagenham, the number of people under 24 out of work for more than a year is:
- 330 young people in January 2013
- 220 young people in January 2012
Local Labour London Assembly Member, John Biggs AM said: “As the economy stumbles and splutters towards a triple-dip recession the Mayor needs to help the economy and help ordinary Londoners. Cutting fares by 1% will put £34m into Londoners’ pockets and the Jobs Guarantee will put over 7,200 long-term unemployed young Londoners into work. Reallocating business rates will help protect frontline police and fire services to help keep London safe and secure.
“Boris may shrug his shoulders and say he is doing all he can, but he is signed up to the government’s reckless economic plans. All he has done is said the ‘rhetoric should be toned down’, but that cuts and austerity should continue. At a time when ordinary Londoners are struggling and the economy is flat-lining he must do more, there is an alternative.
“Boris has cut his share of the council tax by less than 10 pence a week per household, but at the same time has whacked up fares above inflation for the fifth year running. He must be stupid to think Londoners won’t notice this wheeze.”
The key points of the Labour Group’s proposals are:
· A Jobs Guarantee for all 16-24 year olds who have been out of work for 1 year or more
· Cut transport fares by 1% so they are in line with inflation
· Re-allocate business rates to protect frontline police and fire services
· Freeze the Mayor’s share of the Council Tax
· Start the process of setting up a London-wide lettings agency
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