News from Sheffield Labour

Betts and Blunkett welcome extra £1m to help Sheffield’s long-term unemployed

The Labour Government has announced an additional funding of £1,093,270 for Sheffield to tackle long-term worklessness, and ensure that no-one is left behind during the recession and everyone can benefit as the upturn happens.

While the number of long-term jobless families across the country has been reduced by 13 per cent over the last ten years, this funding demonstrates Labour’s commitment to tackling entrenched worklessness and steps up action to support the remaining 73,000 back into work.

The funding has been welcomed by MPs Clive Betts (Sheffield Attercliffe) and David Blunkett (Sheffield Brightside) as a crucial part of the local ‘Real Help Now’ and investment for areas that need it most.

Clive Betts said: “Tackling long-term worklessness has never been easy. Some people have complex circumstances or face particular challenges, but this funding shows a continuing commitment and determination by the Labour government to do more to help those who haven’t had a job. They need to know they have not fallen through the net or been written off.

Even in the present difficult circumstances of the global recession – although we need to keep reminding ourselves that there are still 2m more people in work today than in 1997 – it is possible to make a real difference.”

David Blunkett said: “The Thatcher inheritance – where generations of families were simply thrown and left on the dole – has had a massive and continuing detrimental impact in Brightside. It takes long-term investment to change those experiences.

Previous Tory governments just told people to get on their bikes, and then disabled the bikes. David Cameron has made it clear that he would not match Labour’s help for families and communities.”

Communities Secretary, John Denham MP said: “In past recessions the Conservative let people get left behind and today David Cameron is opposed to Labour’s fiscal stimulus to help people during the downturn. He would let the recession take its course whatever the consequences on families and communities.

Even in the downturn hundreds of thousands of people are getting jobs. This funding shows even those out of work for years are not being left behind as they were under the Tories.

We’re determined to make sure that this will never happen again. Labour is continuing to help, putting in additional investment, like the £40m Working Neighbourhood Fund announcement today, and we are asking local councils to take immediate action.

Now more than ever people need to know system is fair and that we are doing everything we can to give every person, a fair chance to realise their potential in life.”

The Tories will write people off. Labour will not”

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