News from The Labour Party

John Denham MP announces skills boost for people who lose their jobs

John Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, today announced a training boost for people who are unemployed for six months or more.

75,000 training places are to be made available to help get people who are unemployed back to work as soon as possible. Coupled with more support announced before Christmas, there will be an extra 100,000 training places to help individuals and businesses through the downturn.

John Denham, who made the announcement in his role as Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, said:

“We know we can’t always stop someone from losing their job. But what we can do is do is help give them the skills they need to find a new job as soon as possible.

“Labour will not make the mistakes that the Conservatives made in the last recession and just leave people abandoned on the dole, or push them onto sickness benefit.

“We will do everything we can to help people through this tough time and help them prepare for the economic upturn when it comes.

“Whilst Labour is increasing investment in skills to help individuals and businesses through the downturn, the Conservatives would cut £610m from my department’s budget.

“These cuts would come at the very worst time: when individuals need to increase their skills to get and keep a job, and when businesses need to improve the skills of their workforces to increase productivity, the Tories would turn their backs on people and slash training.”