Party conference call for more jobs (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford delegates to Labour gathering urge colleagues to fight for youth employment

7:00am Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in News By Anika Bourley

Austerity measures are not working and Labour must campaign for a change of direction to create much needed jobs, Bradford representatives have told the annual party conference.

Bradford South Constituency Labour Party, along with five other CLPs, urged other delegates to support their call for more help for young people and for bankers to resolve the mess they created.

The conference was told Government’s spending cuts and tax rises have choked off growth and risk causing permanent damage to the economy.

It was one of six motions to be debated yesterday at the conference in Manchester and said: “Labour now needs a clear, radical and convincing response to these weak coalition policies.

“The banks, which caused the crash and continue to pay obscene bonuses to top executives remain part of the problem. Conference condemns the reckless and irresponsible behaviour by banks and bankers and believes the UK needs a banking system that recognises it has a responsibility to serve the real economy.”

The motion urged delegates to support its calls for greater competition in the banking sectors, producing a code of conduct for bankers with those breaking the rules struck off, and making the case for a new unit in the Serious Fraud Office to tackle fraud in financial services, and to change the bonus culture.

In addition the motion, co-written by Bradford’s Labour members, demands more support for young people.

It said: “We are concerned about youth unemployment. The Tory-led coalition have done very little for young people looking for work. We need measures to strengthen the regulations of apprenticeships and an end to fake apprenticeships and workfare schemes that exploit young people as cheap labour.

“It’s time for a change of course and plan for growth that will get people back into work and help create long-term prosperity.”

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe said: “Young people in my constituency and all across the district are struggling to find work. We need to do everything we can to help them. We need action on jobs, now. Instead David Cameron and his cabinet of millionaires offer only excuses and complacency. They have no answers.

“How can it be justified that the people of Bradford are suffering all these cuts because of actions of rich bankers that are still taking bonuses?”

Conference backed Bradford’s call and the motion will now be debated by Labour’s national policy forum.