A level playing field in Employment

Listening to the experts at Prospects College

There's no time for complacency as life gets harder for hard working citizens.

Latest unemployment statistics are out. 2,346 people in South Basildon and East Thurrock are unemployed and claiming Job Seekers Allowance, of which 1,434 are male and 912 are female. This means there are 250 fewer people unemployed today than in May 2010. I am pleased to see that the unemployment figures for the constituency are slightly down but we cannot afford to be complacent as 22% of this months claimants have been out of work for between 6-12months and 29% have been out of work for over 12months. 

Figures for long term unemployment remains stubbornly high and Labour’s plan to introduce a compulsory jobs guarantee will see the investment needed to tackle these figures. Under the jobs guarantee, a Labour government will ensure there is a job for every adult who is long-term unemployed and people out of work will be obliged to take up those jobs or face losing benefits. 

In July I visited Prospects College in Basildon. The modern training centre helps apprentices develops practical skills whilst working towards an industry recognised professional qualification for our future carpenters, electricians, bricklayers, decorators, plumbers, engineers and welders.



With Neil Bates & Gordon Marsden MP

 

I spent the afternoon with Neil Bates, Group Chief Executive of the Prospects Learning Foundation, touring the college, finding out about the opportunities available and meeting some of the apprentices.

The facilities and opportunities at Prospects College are superb creating a great environment for learning. It was great to meet some local apprentices who are benefiting from the courses. Training our young people to a high standard in vocational qualification will help us provide the skills needed in industries such as building, transport and green technologies. This has been severely lacking and something the next Labour  government will address with a work and training guarantee.

As Labour’s parliamentary candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock I will be campaigning for a level playing field for all citizens.

In employment this will involve tackling the zero-hours contract culture growing under this coalition government and making sure that all employers are supported and pay the going rate for their workforce.