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Election Promises » Get Britain Working
Jobs and the Economy
Jobs and the economy are the Government's top priorities. After thirteen years of Labour's economic mismanagement, we were left to deal with their appalling legacy. The Government is working hard to create jobs, build growth and reduce the deficit.
Locally, I have been doing everything I can to encourage business, promote growth and find people jobs.
Get Britain Working
We need to make sure our welfare system is fair both to the taxpayer and to those receiving benefits. Under the previous Government, the system was too complex and there was not enough incentive for people to find work. This Government's reforms will ensure that taxpayer's money is better targetted to those who need it, with additional support for Jobseeker's by way of the new Work Programme.
Comprehensive welfare reform packages, together with changes to tax credits and increases in the income tax threshold will all come together to ensure that work always pays. Coupled with the introduction of Universal Credit in 2013, we are creating a welfare system which will break the cycle of benefit dependency, support the most vulnerable and encourage people who can work to do what they can.
Employment levels have increased over the last year across all age groups. However, we do need to ensure sufficient support for young people and the long-term unemployed. We will do this by providing targeted, individual support for those seeking to get back into the world of work through the Work Programme. The Government is determined to give young people every opportunity to develop the skills they need to get into the world of work. We have committed funding for up to 50,000 additional apprentices over the next four years and 100,000 work experience placements.
Locally, I have written to over 600 local businesses to encourage them to take on people on work experience placements and apprenticeships. I will continue to work with them and with Hounslow Education Business Partnership, Connexions and JobCentrePlus to make this a reality for young people in our area.