CONSERVATIVE PROPOSALS TO PUNISH YOUNG JOBSEEKERS WILL HIT THE NORTH THE HARDEST – MARK HUNTER

Conservative plans to force young jobseekers into community service to receive vital benefits is an attack on 'The North' and non-Tory strongholds, Liberal Democrat research reveals.

Around 50,000 unemployed young people across the country would be forced to work for free as well as continue to look for a job to get support under David Cameron's plans.

Coalition Government figures show the policy would hit jobseekers in northern cities and the Midlands the hardest. Liberal Democrat analysis shows 20 out of the top 25 'NEET' hotspots in England and Wales are in the north or the midlands.

The research also shows that the Tory policy hits areas of the country that historically do not support the party. In fact, of the 25 local authorities with the highest rates of NEETS none are run by the Conservatives.

Local MP for Cheadle constituency, Mark Hunter MP said:

"It is hard to be surprised by this policy; the Conservatives have shown again and again that they will always chose to be toughest on those with the least, and those who are vulnerable.

"Proposals to force young unemployed people to work for free as well as search for jobs is Conservative electioneering to appeal to Tory heartlands while putting other areas down. Why can they not instead focus on helping young people to get the skills they need instead of writing them off? This policy is not about helping young people to gain experience it is to punish them.

"The Liberal Democrats are campaigning to protect education spending from cradle to college, and directing additional funds to those schools which have children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds. We firmly believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to get on in life."