Skills in the Recession

Part of Opposition Day — [11th Allotted Day] – in the House of Commons at 3:48 pm on 18 May 2009.

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Photo of Ian Stewart Ian Stewart Labour, Eccles 3:48, 18 May 2009

I thank the hon. Gentleman, who has been extremely kind in allowing me to intervene again. He will not know of my personal interest in these matters, although some of his colleagues will, and I should say that at times I am not an uncritical friend of the Government. My point is meant constructively. I recruited and served youth training scheme trainees, youth opportunities programme, or YOP, trainees, community enterprise scheme trainees and community programme participants. I have to say to the hon. Gentleman that in those days, his Government's provisions were make-work programmes without technical and training content. Does he agree that the Government should spend more money, because training and skills are expensive? Would he spend more money on the training and skills element?