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Clegg: Spend VAT rise on helping young jobless find work
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor10 Sep 2009
VAT should be immediately increased to fund a new scheme to help Britain's growing army of young unemployed, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg urged today.
The tax was cut from 17.5 per cent to 15 per cent by Alistair Darling in the Government's "fiscal stimulus".
It is due to go up again at the end of the year, but Mr Clegg said the money would be better used now to pay for up to 800,000 young people to do work internships.
He said in a Newcastle speech launching his party's policy paper, A Lifeboat For The Lost Generation, that he wanted three-month placements for those aged 16 to 24 who are not in work, education or training, and a temporary increase in university places.
Mr Clegg said those on an internship scheme should earn £55 a week rather than claiming jobseekers' allowance.
Employers should also be obliged to help participants search for a permanent job.
There are thought to be almost one million people young people in England without jobs or training.
Mr Clegg told the BBC youth unemployment should be the Government's "top priority".
"We're proposing to give young people the hope that they can stay active, stay in study, stay in work, stay in training, rather than find themselves on a course towards long-term unemployment.
"This recession is creating the real risk of a jobless generation. The people who deserve least to be punished are the young."
Mr Clegg said the whole cost of the scheme would be the same as "just two days" of the VAT cut.
Reader views (6)
What a load of rubbish, Japan has 5% VAT and working fine with high unemployment. The truth is the UK has high VAT to pay for these scumball MPs huge pays and so when MPs buy anything they can claim the money back, yet these scumball MPs claim they are living on Rations.
Japanese MPs are paid half of what the UK MPs are paid. In the UK the MPs are nothing but pondscum criminals.
Round up all MPs and CULL the load and save the UK which has turned in to a cesspool since Blair was voted in.
- Nick Brit In Japan, Chiba, 10/09/2009 22:15
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These kids ahave spent over 10 years where it was the Goverments Job to Educate them.
The Governments role, was that after they leave education...they would have a JOB to go to.
Since the Government has failed on both Counts its CRIMINAL for them to then say the kids can work as SLAVES and be grateful for the opportunity. !.
Blimey open up the Chimneys and Coal MInes whilst at it.
- Clif, London, 10/09/2009 19:56
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Well done, Lib Dems. At last, some constructive and practical suggestions about helping people through this downturn, not just the usual talk about cutbacks and yet more privatisation from the Tories.
I hope people actually stop and listen to what the Lib Dems are saying, because most of it makes sense to me.
- Robert C, London, England, 10/09/2009 18:00
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"Employers should also be obliged to help participants search for a permanent job" - Just how are empolyers going to find these jobs???
- Very Very Angry At Paying Tax For Mp'S Expeses, Home Counties, 10/09/2009 17:34
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Dream on, Nick. Every penny of the VAT rise will go towards paying off the vast debt that this government has run up. Oh, and Jacqui Smith's bathplugs and porn.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 10/09/2009 14:57
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ONE MILLION NEETS IN THE UK.
WHAT AN ABSOLUTE SHAMBLES THIS COUNTRY IS.
JUST WAIT UNTIL THOSE NEETS START CHURNING OUT KIDS BY THE BUCKETFUL - THOSE CHILDREN WILL BE THE GENERATION OF THE JOBLESS JOBLESS.
UK SKOOLS ARE A DISGRACE.
THE NHS IS A DISGRACE.
UK ROADS ARE A DISGRACE.
UK RAILWAYS ARE A DISGRACE AND A BLATANT RIP-OFF.
UK SHOP PRICES ARE ANOTHER RIP-OFF.
ONLY MP's AND BANKERS CAN AFFORD TO LIVE IN THE UK.
ALL JOE PUBLIC GETS IS SUPPRESSION, INTIMIDATION AND AGGRAVATION FROM AUTHORITY.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR, 10/09/2009 14:12
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