Back to work
By Ian Dunt
Gordon Brown and David Cameron are spearheading their employment initiatives while the nation goes back to work.
The prime minister will spend the day holding a series of high-profile meetings before setting out on a nationwide trip.
Mr Cameron began his day with an interview on the Today programme in which he told listeners he wished to “shake” the prime minister to make him realise his mistakes, before a speech on the economy later today.
“Stop wasting our money with cutting VAT, spending £12.5 billion of taxpayers’ money that we’re going to have to find and pay back one day on something that everyone now accepts has been a waste of time,” he said this morning.
Mr Brown initiated his employment drive yesterday with an interview in the Observer in which he promised to create 100,000 jobs as part of a proto-New Deal concentrated on transport infrastructure, the green economy, and broadband provision.
Today, he will attend a meeting of the Regional Economic Council together with business secretary Lord Mandelson and chancellor Alistair Darling.
There are also hints the prime minister is considering a Nissan plan to retrain those workers who are forced to take on part-time work instead of full-time employment.
There are also suggestions plans to increase the school leaving age from 16 to 18 will be brought forward.
It currently only applies to those aged 11, meaning they basically come into effect in five years. But with youth unemployment figuring hugely in current statistics, the government is keen to implement it more quickly.
Later in the week, Mr Brown heads to the Midlands, Wales, the north-west and the West Country.
Both men appear to have found common ground on broadband provision. Mr Brown made the laying of suitable fibre-optic cables a centrepiece of his employment package, and Mr Cameron has spoken out about the poor quality of Britain’s internet speed.
“Fibre optic broadband is changing the way people work and do business, and it has the potential to completely transform our economy.
“It could open up new markets for our creative industries, promote innovation, create new, family-friendly jobs as people can work from home – and help reduce carbon emissions.”
Both have also spoken warmly of creating ‘green-collar’ jobs – an idea touted late last year by the Green party and the Liberal Democrats.
But Treasury chief secretary Yvette Cooper, generally tasked with attacking the Tory leader when he makes a new speech or policy announcement, said the Conservatives remained the do nothing party.
“Instead of helping people when they need it, David Cameron’s Conservatives would turn their backs. Under pressure, the Conservatives are returning to the worst of Thatcherism,” she said.
But the Liberal Democrats said both parties’ proposals let down the public.
“Gordon Brown and David Cameron are con-men trying to fool the British public,” said party leader Nick Clegg.
“First we have an expensive VAT cut that doesn’t help people and now the prime minister announces he will create 100,000 jobs without any idea of how.
“David Cameron is offering his own fake giveaway. Cutting savings tax will mean someone saving £100 will only get an extra 40p a year.”
The Bank of England is widely expected to cut interest rates even further on Thursday, by as much as one per cent.
Business leaders are expecting a slew of job losses in the UK economy as the new year begins.
