What We Stand For
- Economy and Jobs

Economy and Jobs

Liberal Democrats believe everyone deserves help as soon as they lose their job to find another one. We want to completely change the way Jobcentres help people find work; when people go into a Jobcentre they will be able to talk about what help they need to get back into work and Jobcentres can then get them that help. We don’t believe anyone should be forced to claim benefits for months before they can go on a training course or get help with interviews so we will do away with timetables and deadlines – people will get help that fits their needs.

Young people have been hit hard by this recession and they need encouragement, support and practical help to improve their skills and enhance their work readiness. We need to keep young people within reach of the job market and we propose paying any young person completing an internship or work experience £55 a week for three months. At present only young people from better-off families can afford to build up their work experience; our proposals would mean up to 800,000 young people from all backgrounds will be able to take these opportunities.

We will also increase the number of apprenticeships, and places on university and vocational higher education courses so young people can improve their skills and get qualifications that will help them capitalise when the job market recovers.