Harlow MP accused of 'complacency' over youth unemployment

A WAR of words has broken out between Harlow MP Robert Halfon and his Labour opponent Suzy Stride after the pair clashed over the town’s youth unemployment figures.

The pair traded verbal blows after the Office For National Statistics published figures for 2011 showing the number of long-term Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants aged 16-24 had more than tripled (up to 175 from 50) over the course of last year.

They also highlight a slight drop (715 to 695) in the overall number of young JSA claimants from November to December – hailed by Mr Halfon as a "step in the right direction" but dismissed by Ms Stride as a possible reflection of the increasing number of temporary jobs over the Christmas period.

Ms Stride, who helps out-of-work youngsters find employment as part of her job with East London charity City Gateway, accused Mr Halfon of  "astonishing complacency" over what she described as an alarming rise in long-term claimants.

"These figures will only confirm what families in Harlow already know, that we are facing an unemployment emergency," she told the Star. "Six people are now chasing every job in Harlow and long-term youth unemployment is up a staggering 250 per cent since the start of the year.

"As every month passes it is getting clearer and clearer the Government’s welfare-to-work programmes are simply failing the young people here in Harlow.

"Complacent and out-of-touch ministers need to wake up to the jobs crisis they’re responsible for and take urgent action now."

But Mr Halfon said the overall drop in the number of claimants suggested the Government’s drive to increase the number of apprenticeships nationwide was having a positive impact.

"These figures are to be welcomed and I hope to see a further fall in the months ahead," he said. "In 2012 my number one priority is going to be the economy and bringing jobs back to Harlow, especially for our young people.

"Thanks to a Conservative-led government, in Harlow alone the number of apprentices has rocketed by 73 per cent from 450 in 2009-10 to a figure of 780 for 2010-11.

"This is fantastic news and clearly shows that businesses not just locally but across the country are seeing the benefits there are in having apprentices in their workplaces."