Best thing we can offer young people is a job, not benefits, says chancellor - bbc.com
UK Chancellor John Healey announced plans to prioritize job creation and apprenticeships over welfare benefits for young people at the Labour Party conference. The government aims to balance fiscal discipline with economic opportunity.
Why it matters
Outlines the government's economic strategy regarding welfare reform and youth employment, which is central to the upcoming national budget.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Ewan Somerville Political reporter PA Media John Healey and cabinet ministers from the other great offices of state gave speeches at Labour Party conference on Monday The chancellor has warned against allowing Britain's benefits bill to balloon while not offering young people opportunities.
John Healey told Labour's annual conference in Liverpool that cutting welfare spending was "more than an economic must - it's a moral duty".
"The best thing we can offer a young person is not a benefit payment - it's a first job with training and a wage," he said.
He announced the expansion of a Local Apprenticeships Service for mayors in England, which he said would deliver thousands more apprenticeships for young people.
Healey's speech comes as he faces pressure to cut public spending or raise taxes ahead of next month's Budget to bring down government borrowing costs.
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