THE Government sparked a row today by claiming Labour policies had created jobs for a million people and cut dole queues in Manchester by a third.But the Tories dismissed the claims as "government spin".Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett told the Manchester Evening News that since the government came to power, unemployment in the city had been reduced by 6,924 or 33 per cent."It doesn't mean, of course, that there haven't been closures, job losses or that people won't need all the help we can give them to find work," he said. "But it does mean long-term unemployment in Manchester has been reduced by 56 per cent."He also claimed that thanks to the New Deal, long-term youth jobless figures in the city had fallen by 67 per cent, with over 5,000 young people found finding jobs since Labour came to power. However, Tory spokesman Theresa May disputed the government's optimistic claim that they have got a million people back into work.She said: "What we've seen is that 100,000 young people have gone on the New Deal, left through a revolving door and gone back on to it. The number of young people who've got lasting jobs is only about 15 per cent of the total number." Meanwhile, a team of "dolebusters" is to move into Manchester. The city is one of 40 areas named today where the so-called Action Teams for Jobs will offer advice and focus on small areas and particular groups of people.They will advise people on what clothing to wear to impress would-be bosses, tell them to get their hair cut neat and tidy for interviews, offer bus fares and help with running a car to allow them to drive to work. The scheme in Manchester will start in October.
Tweet
Labour's city jobs boast row
July 12, 2000
