The Conservative-led Government’s failed economic plans have seen unemployment, and in particular youth unemployment, increase all over the country.

In Bethnal Green and Bow, too many young people are struggling to find jobs while they look across at the richest square miles in the world- Canary Wharf and the City. Unemployment rates in East London remain amongst the highest in the country, despite the wealth of potential and opportunity.

This is despite the hugely successful Olympic and Paralympic games that were held right on our doorstep. Whilst all other Olympic boroughs received a much-needed economic boost from the Games, unemployment in our borough actually increased over the Olympic period, and a golden opportunity to get local people into work was missed. We need real solutions to get people back into work. That’s why Labour has been consistently calling on the Government to introduce a tax on banker’s bonuses to fund a Real Jobs Guarantee for every young person who has been out of work for a year. 

I have been working with local councillors and business and shadow front bench colleagues to encourage and develop the skills of our young people. In 2012, I joined with Ed Balls, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, and Tower Hamlets Labour Councillors to host a skills and employability workshop for local youth. Organisations including City Gateway, Canary Wharf Group, Uprising and East London Business Place shared their expertise and gave practical workshops on the skills and approaches needed to find and get a job.

I will keep fighting hard to create jobs locally. I will keep pushing the Government to invest in the training needed to help East Enders get the skills they need to find jobs, and I will continue to campaign for a proper employment and sporting legacy so that we can all benefit from our successful Olympic games.

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