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The Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has said the government will push for young people to join the Armed Forces to cut unemployment.
Kendall told MPs on Tuesday the has held discussions with her local job centre and the military and will hold further talks with the Ministry of Defence to get “this plan into action.”
Kendall confirmed in the House of Commons there will be cuts in benefits and it is her aim to get 642,000 people aged between 16 and 24 that are unemployed to join the military.
She said that welfare system is “holding our country back” and Labour is “ambitious for our people and our country, and we believe that unleashing the talents of the British people is the key to our future success.”
Tory MP Mark Pritchard told MPs, “One way of perhaps attracting some people back into work is for her to have discussions with the Defence Secretary. Would she agree with me that getting more young people into his majesty’s armed forces, air force, navy, army would be a starting place?”
The Work and Pensions Secretary said, “I absolutely agree. Indeed, before I was appointed to this position in opposition, as a constituency MP, I have discussed with my local job centre and the armed forces recruitment precisely these issues because of the really exciting careers and opportunities that are available, I think are really important for young people
“I will certainly be having more discussions with colleagues in the Ministry of Defence to make sure we put this plan into action.”
Kendall told MPs on Tuesday in the House of Commons those aged under 22-years of age will not be allowed to claim certain benefits.
She said, “Because being out of work or training when you’re young is so damaging for your future prospects, we will go further.
“In addition to funding our Youth Guarantee through the £240 million Get Britain Working plan, we will consult on delaying access to the health top up in Universal Credit until someone is aged 22, with the savings reinvested into work support and training opportunities.
So every young person is earning or learning, and on a pathway to success.”
Chairwoman of the Work and Pensions Committee Debbie Abrahams said, “I would put that there are alternative, more compassionate ways to balance the books rather than on the back of sick and disabled people.”
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