Strong push to help young to find work
LAST week, Her Majesty the Queen opened the new session of Parliament.
In her speech she set out the UK Government’s agenda for the forthcoming year.
For all of us across Stockport, it is brimming with measures that will help secure our economic recovery from the pandemic.
The Government’s plan will see increased funding for our NHS and social care, improve educational opportunities and close the attainment gap.
It will see greater funding for our town centres and will secure further investment into green jobs, renewable energy and green technologies.
As a local MP, I hear from thousands of residents each year raising a diverse range of issues and concerns.
But the one area which dominates my inbox each week, is the demand for access to solid, stable and sustainable jobs for our young people.
That is why I am glad in this Queen’s speech, there is a strong push planned by the Government to support local young people through education, helping to build lifelong skills and employment opportunities.
The Kickstart Scheme, for example, is directly aimed at those aged 16-24 at risk of long-term unemployment.
The £2bn scheme has already supported 195,000 young people into work or training already.
Alongside an increase in the National Living Wage in April, and an extension of the Universal Credit uplift worth close to £1000 a year, this is a Government is committed to build back better.
I look forward to continuing to work with local businesses, schools, colleges and the Government to ensure that the opportunities and potential that this extra support provides is put to good use.