Reeves: Labour will invest in Britain’s renewal
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In her speech to the Labour Party Conference, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer will vow to invest in Britain's renewal to build an
economy that works for working people – and rewards them. New plans
unveiled to get young people back to work, with every young person
who has been out of work or education for 18 months offered
guaranteed paid work. “I can commit this government to nothing less
than the abolition of long-term youth unemployment. We've done
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The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will today [Monday 29 September] vow to invest in Britain's renewal, as she announces new plans to get thousands of young people back to work. Speaking at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, the Chancellor will speak of her determination to build an economy that works for working people – and rewards them. The Chancellor is expected to say: “I believe in a Britain founded on contribution – where we do our duty for each other, and where hard work is matched by fair reward. “I believe in a Britain based on opportunity – where ordinary kids can flourish, unhindered by their background. “And I believe that Britain's real wealth is found not only in the success of the fortunate few, but in the talents of all our people, in every part of our great country.” The Chancellor will pledge to “nothing less than the abolition of long-term youth unemployment.” Under new plans to be unveiled by the Labour Government, every young person who has been on Universal Credit for 18 months without earning or learning will be offered guaranteed paid work through a new Youth Guarantee. Participants of the scheme will receive support to take advantage of available opportunities, with the aim of helping them transition into full-time employment. The announcement comes as part of the Labour Government's determination to get Britian working and provide targeted support for young people at risk of long-term unemployment. One in eight 16–24-year-olds are currently not in education, work, or training, having risen by almost a third over the last four years under the Conservatives. The Chancellor is expected to say: “I will never be satisfied while too many people's potential is wasted, frozen out of employment, education, or training. There's no defending it. “It's bad for business, bad for taxpayers, bad for our economy, and it scars people's prospects throughout their lives. “At the Spending Review, I pledged record investment in skills to support our young people. “And so today, I can announce that with that investment we will fund a new Youth Guarantee. “Every young person will be guaranteed either a place in a college, for those who want to continue their studies or an apprenticeship, to help them learn a trade vital to our plans to rebuild the country, or one-to-one support to find a job. “But more than that our guarantee will ensure that any young person out of work for 18 months will be given a paid work placement. Real work, practical experience, and new skills. “We won't leave a generation of young people to languish without prospects – denied the dignity, the security and the ladders of opportunity that good work provides. “Just as the last Labour government, with its new deal for young people, abolished long-term youth unemployment I can commit this government to nothing less than the abolition of long-term youth unemployment. We've done before and we'll do it again.” In his speech to the Labour Party Conference on Monday afternoon, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden will say: “Almost a million young people are not in education, employment or training. We will not stand by while a generation is consigned to benefits almost before they've begun. “We will not accept that school pupils, full of promise, become adults, full of frustration. We cannot - we will not - allow wasted talent to become Britain's story. “The Youth Guarantee is how we will offer every young person a chance to get up and get on.” Ends Notes:
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