LABOUR LEADER OFFERS A PLAN FOR JOBS
Fife Labour leader Alex Rowley has restated Fife Labour’s plan for jobs after new figures revealed that unemployment continues to rise in Fife. The number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in the Kingdom rose from 10,262 in December 2011 to 10,873 in January 2012 (up 611), with the biggest jump in Dunfermline and West Fife where it rose from 2,587 to 2,790 (up 203) in just four weeks.
Youth unemployment has also gone up with the number of JSA claimants aged 18 to 24 rising from 3060 in December to 3225 in January (up 165). Dunfermline and West Fife again showed the sharpest rise (760 to 830, up 70).
Fife Labour leader Councillor Alex Rowley said: “These figures are quite shocking, particularly the youth unemployment numbers which will send a shiver down the spine of every parent in Fife. “Behind every statistic is a life blighted by the scourge of unemployment and it is simply not good enough for the SNP-led coalition to pass the buck. “I know that local authorities cannot in themselves solve these problems but there is much they can do to address the growing unemployment crisis – only last week North Lanarkshire Council announced a £15million plan to help 5000 unemployed young people into work over the next three years.
Fife Labour leader Councillor Alex Rowley has already set out the steps he would take to get the Kingdom back to work. “Fife Labour has put forward a plan that will engage directly with employers both large and small and bring in real practical help to support apprenticeships in the first year and bring in additional support for the very small companies who can offer a training place.
“Our five-point plan to create jobs in the Kingdom will invest £5 million in getting people into work, training and skills; build a task force of employers and training providers and put resources in to support businesses and colleges take more people on; guarantee the council will work closely with training providers to see to it that people are able to get work experience and training that will lead to jobs in Fife; ensure that the procurement process does not lock out local companies; and establish a rapid response unit to support companies that experience difficulties.”
“Fife Labour will ensure that our council always argues for a fair deal for Fife,” added Councillor Rowley, “we will always put people first.”
ENDS
NOTES
Fife Labour’s five-point plan for jobs:
•Fife Labour will make available up to £5 million of balances over the next three years to invest in getting people into work, training and skills. •Fife Labour will build a new partnership and task force of employers and training providers and put resources in to support businesses and colleges take more people into training and employment. Fife’s resources will act as a stimulus to help thousands of Fifers back into work.
•Fife Labour will guarantee that the council will work closely with training providers to see to it that people are able to get work experience and training that will lead to real jobs within the Fife labour market.
•Fife Labour will ensure that the council’s procurement process does not lock out local companies and indeed will work with business to find the best way of creating a fair playing field for Fife companies and businesses to compete.
•Fife Labour will establish a rapid response unit that is available to support companies at an early stage of them experiencing difficulties. Many Fife companies are finding the banks less than supportive and this on top of rising costs and tighter margins is a real threat and one that we will make sure we have the expertise to assist with.
