Autumn Statement Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Autumn Statement

Gemma Doyle Excerpts
Tuesday 29th November 2011

(12 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Gemma Doyle Portrait Gemma Doyle (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab/Co-op)
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The Chancellor is wrong to deny that the Government’s policies are making long-term youth unemployment worse. It is up by more than 80% since the start of this year. Would he now like to apologise for scrapping the future jobs fund?

George Osborne Portrait Mr Osborne
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As I said, the future jobs fund meant that 50% of people who went on it were unemployed within 12 weeks. The right hon. Member for South Shields (David Miliband) was very honest in saying that this Government did not create the problem of youth unemployment. Frankly, if we had more honesty from the shadow Chancellor, he would have a bit more economic credibility. I cannot help noticing that the British public think that the right hon. Member for South Shields would do a better job as shadow Chancellor than the man opposite jabbering at me.