Blackburn with Darwen councillor praises Rachel Reeves' plan to get young people employed
The Chancellor confirmed the plans yesterday at the Labour Party Conference
A Blackburn with Darwen councillor has praised Rachel Reeves' plans to get young people back in work, which the Chancellor confirmed yesterday at the Labour Party Conference.
The proposal plans to offer all 18-to-21-year-olds a paid work placement if they have been out of education or employment for 18 months - though those who reject it could lose their benefits.
Cllr Julie Gunn, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "I think we've got a moral duty not to tell young people that there's nothing for them."
Gunn said the plans would build on already existing plans in the Blackburn with Darwen area, specifically ones that are designed to help vulnerable young people and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The councillor said: "We know that young people with SEND often are left behind.
"Care-experienced people often have barriers to full-time employment too."
Gunn also hit back at the idea that young people don't want to work anymore.
She said: "What they want to see is fairness. And they want a fair opportunity to get a reasonable job and to work hard."
This announcement would build on Reeves' 'youth guarantee', unveiled last November.