North Yorkshire MPs call for investment in jobs ahead of Budget
Chancellor and MP for Richmond, Rishi Sunak, will outline the Government's plans this afternoon.
Last updated 3rd Mar 2021
North Yorkshire MPs are calling on the Government to back investment into jobs to help support young people.
We've been putting to them the concerns of young people who we've been speaking to this week, following fears over a 'lost generation' of people hit by the pandemic.
Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Andrew Jones, is backing pleas from local students and young people to invest in their futures.
He said: "The economic impact of this pandemic has not fallen equally across our society. Younger people have been baring the brunt of it more so than others.
"The number of younger people out of employment in the Harrogate district has now doubled since March of last year. I think that's because we rely heavily on hospitality and tourism industry which as we know have been hideously and badly affected by the restrictions.
"It should worry all of us. We want to see a society where young people get the opportunity to make the most of their talents.
"It's no way to start a career with a period of unemployment. We must be doing all we can to prevent that."
The chancellor is due to introduce his budget to the House of Commons after 12.30pm today.
Mr Jones said this is a "big moment" for the country.
He says: "This is a big moment as we start to emerge from the lockdown. We need to make sure those opportunities are there for younger people.
"The government can also help with schemes to support businesses and create those jobs. Customers are perhaps a little nervous to resume their business habits and people will be cautious about making investments. So schemes like the Eat Out to Help Out will be welcomed.
"Our local economy is heavily reliant on tourism. I think we'll see a lot of people seeking to holiday at home and we've seen people are making staycation bookings and that in turn will lead to more jobs for younger people and everyone else."
Labour MP for York Central, Rachael Maskell, says more needs to be done to end uncertainty for them: "We want to make sure that there is a proper opportunity for people to catch up - we want that learning gap to be bridged.
"I've been calling for a degree plus programme for students, so that even after graduating they can maintain an educational relationship with the university. It also means they can catch up on some of that learning that they've missed out on because of the pandemic.
"In York there is a high level of insecure work. We have to look again at zero hours contracts and the insecurity that gives people; we need to see far more secure jobs for the future. Young people should be at the forefront of being able to get onto apprenticeships and other jobs schemes.
"The figures speak for themselves: we've seen a significant rise to 660 young people not in employment here. We've got to create those opportunities, and I really do need employers in the city to look at taking on an apprentice - or take on a young person through the Kick Start scheme.
"A smart government would be investing in the future. A smart government would recognise that young people are our future, full of talent and ideas"
"We really need to listen to the needs of young people".
Rishi Sunak, Conservative MP for Richmond, is set to extend the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)– which has protected 11.2 million jobs since the start of the pandemic until the end of September.
This means businesses and individuals will be supported through the roadmap and beyond.
He is also set to announce that more than 600,000 people, many of whom became self-employed in 2019-20, will now be able to claim direct cash grants under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).
Mr Sunak, said: “Our Covid support schemes have been a lifeline to millions, protecting jobs and incomes across the UK.
“There’s now light at the end of the tunnel with a roadmap for reopening, so it’s only right that we continue to help business and individuals through the challenging months ahead - and beyond.”
As part of the CJRS extension, there will be no change to the terms for employees and they will continue to receive 80% of their salary for hours not worked until the scheme ends."