| Labour Party Conference 2009 |
|
|
|
|
This weekend marks the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference. Held every autumn, Labour’s Conference is one of the largest and most high profile political events in Europe. The main talking point will understandably be the next General Election and how we can persuade the people of this country to give us the chance to finish the task we have undertaken. A major topic will of course be the economic downturn, which has led to many people across the country experiencing financial struggles. These are tough times for many people in South Tyneside the difference being is that Labour is committed to helping families and communities unlike previous recessions in the 1980’s and 90’s when the Tories walked away! That is why the Labour Government is ensuring that extra support is available to families, pensioners, people looking for jobs and homeowners. For example, earlier this year we increased child tax credits and working tax credits – putting money into the pockets of people who need it. Basic rate taxpayers also get a tax cut and Winter Fuel Payments were increased to £250 for over 60s and £400 for those over 80. Along with the highest rise in the state pension since 2001 and the biggest rise in pension credit since we introduced it six years ago, we are trying to help poorer people unlike the Tories who did nothing. Remember the Tory slogan that unemployment was a price worth paying? Well just because we are facing a world recession doesn’t give us the excuse to abandon those in need. We are committed to providing help and assistance to those people who are unemployed. If you or a loved one were to lose a job, there will be support from day one. There is now practical help if you lose your job with one to one support and advice and free new training courses available. The Labour Government has already invested £2bn to make sure people are given the help they need at every stage of unemployment. At next week’s Labour Party Conference we will outline to the country a clear choice – a Labour Government that understands that people, businesses and communities need help or the Tories whose approach to the economic downturn is to simply do nothing. And those of us who lived through the last two recessions under the Tories know this only too well. We know these are tough times but I am pleased that we have a Government committed to introducing real measures to help real people. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|