Government cuts spark jobless fears

Mary Creagh has called on the government to think again about public sector cuts as unemployment is predicted to rise in 2011.

Last month almost 8000 people were claiming Jobseekers Allowance in the Wakefield district, and nationally around 120,000 public sector workers could be laid off.

The Tory led government's decision to scrap Labour's Future Jobs Fund and the Education Maintenance Allowance will hit young people hard at a time when they can least afford it.

Mary said "The Future Jobs Fund guaranteed a job for young people. Now that has been removed. The EMA also made a real difference in attendances at college and moving onto higher education. I really think this government will have to come up with a plan B becuse of the social impact of the chnages they have made."