said, "The OECD’s “Global
Outlook” suggested the reduction in GDP in the UK due to the
current hit of coronavirus will have been the largest out of all
developed economies. The enormity of the economic impact appears
confirmed by claimant count and other unemployment data out today.
It seems the slow and confused health response is being followed
by a slow and confused response to saving jobs, despite the huge
long term costs of mass unemployment. Labour has called for an
exit strategy, but what we seem to have is an exit without a
strategy - including on jobs.
So will the Treasury change its ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to
the furlough and self-employed schemes, which risks additional
waves of unemployment?
Will it act to encourage young people to stay in education and
training and out of unemployment?
Will it build on previous schemes like the Future Jobs Fund to
support the young unemployed- and provide tailored help for other
hard-hit groups like older workers? While welcome, an
Apprenticeship Guarantee is simply not enough.
Will it act now to create the extra support that cannot be
delivered by current DWP staff, occupied with huge numbers of
additional claims?
Will his government catch up with other countries which have
already announced their stimulus packages- given that many
employers are taking decisions now about whether to retain staff?
Will it apply conditions to all government investment, to include
requirements to promote upskilling and re-employment?
Will it work with local authorities to provide tailored and rapid
support to badly-hit communities?
And finally, rather than a limited budget statement in July, will
his government set out the back to work budget we need, with a
focus on jobs, jobs, jobs?"
