NICK CLEGG MAKES YOUTH JOBS PLEDGE
January 20th, 2010 by vicdalbertLiberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg will today use a new and social media initiative co-hosted by the UK Youth Parliament to launch the party’s youth jobs manifesto pledge.
On the day that new statistics show the number of young people unemployed for more than six months has doubled in two years, Nick Clegg will announce the party’s plans using Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
The proposals would ensure young people do not spend more than 90 days on Jobseekers Allowance before they get more training, education, an internship or a place on a work programme.
Today’s announcement forms the next step in the Liberal Democrats’ economic stimulus and job creation package. The plans will invest almost £900m in increasing the number of further education places, giving students financial support to return to college and creating a paid internship scheme.
Nick Clegg said:
“Young people feel cheated by this recession. Everyone knows someone who has recently left college or university with hopes of starting a career only to find they cannot even get on the lowest rung of the job ladder. We must help them now or they will be left behind in any recovery.
Our promise of more training, education, an internship or a place on a work programme will give hope to the nearly one million young people who currently can’t find a job. Facebook, YouTube and Twitter play just as important a role as TV or newspapers in young people’s lives. Politicians can’t ignore new and social media if they want to connect with the next generation of voters.”
More information on the plans below:
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Lib Dems back shopkeerpers in Besses parking row
October 8th, 2009 by richardbaumLocal Liberal Democrats have backed shopkeepers’ calls for the removal of new
parking charges at the Bay Horse pub in Unsworth.Businesses and shoppers nearby have complained after brewers Joseph Holt
introduced a £2 per day flat rate parking charge on land used by shoppers for
free for years.
Julie Baum, Liberal Democrat campaigner for Besses ward, which includes the
affected shops, said “I have been shopping at these shops for over 30 years and
I’ve never had to pay. It’s a shame that the brewery have installed this car
parking charge. It won’t make them much money but it’s certainly enough to deter
people from using these local businesses.”
Lib Dems reject the brewers’ claims that parking has caused a problem for the
pub. Julie Baum continued “In all the time I have used shopped here, I have
never seen the car park full, so it simply isn’t right to say that shoppers are
stopping pub-users getting into the car park. And besides, it’s obvious that
drinkers shouldn’t be driving to the pub.”
Support has also been given the shopkeepers’ view that the charges are damaging
business during the recession. Mrs Baum said “The first time I came here after
the charges were brought in, the car park was absolutely empty. It is clear that
less people are shopping here because of the new fees, which could be disastrous
for local businesses. I will campaign hard to have the brewery remove these
silly charges.”
Dole queues in Bury continue to grow
October 8th, 2009 by richardbaumBury’s dole queues have lengthened by over three quarters this year to over 4,000.Now Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Vic D’Albert says the Government must act fast to halt the rise in job losses and home repossessions in the borough.
There are now 4,230 people claiming Job Seekers’ Allowance in Bury, an increase of 78.9% compared to this time last year, and an increase of 41.7% in the last three months.
Unemployment in the borough is now at a higher level than before Labour came to power in 1997, after the ravages of 18 years of Tory government.
Commenting, Vic D’Albert said: “Despite some sterling work by local businesses, these figures show that the recession is continuing to hit Bury hard as more jobs and homes are being lost. It is clear to me that the Labour government has failed Bury, and that the Tory Council isn’t doing anything like enough to help.
“It is vital that the Government offers help to the millions who are struggling to keep their heads above water. Income tax should be cut, and the banks must pass on the cuts in interest rates to reduce the cost of borrowing and keep people in their homes, and businesses open.
“The Prime Minister promised to abolish boom and bust, yet for the people of Bury it’s unemployment that’s booming, and their businesses that are going bust. At the same time, the Tories at the Town Hall are dithering over Lib Dem proposals like our “Park Free After 3? idea which would be a big boost to jobs.
“The banks have had their bail-out, how much longer must ordinary people wait for theirs?”
HEALTH CENTRE DELAY
March 1st, 2009 by vicdalbertProposals for a new state of the art health centre at the uplands site in Whitefield are in disarray following rejection by the Councils Planning Control Committee.
Planners sent the NHS trust back to square one after refusing to back proposals for a LIFT centre which will house several GP’s and a specialist dentist and other facilities. There was concern that the proposals were not in keeping with the conservation area that the development is within as well as concerns raised by residents about parking and access.Revamped proposals are expected to be produced later this year for consideration by the Planning Committee.
Julie Baum told Focus, “This is a terrible disspointment for the people of Whitefield. However it’s important that the plans are right and acceptable to all concerned. Hopefully architects and consultants acting on behalf of the NHS trust will take on board the views and concerns of local people and the Planning Committee and return with proposals we can all welcome.”
20’s PLENTY
March 1st, 2009 by vicdalbertWhitefield Lib Dems have launched a campaign for 20mph zones around local schools
Julie Baum commented, “The school gate is a hectic bustling place at start and close of the school day and with so many people around, pupils and parents often with younger children in buggies as well. Add local traffic and you have a very dangerous situation.
There have been a number of traffic accidents in the vicinity of schools over the past few years. Its time Bury Council grasped the nettle and introduced 20mph zones around any schools that don’t have one. We shouldn’t be waiting for another accident to happen”.
