We need actions, not words

Although widely predicted, this morning’s news that unemployment had risen sharply to 1.82 million was still extremely disturbing.

Experts are also now suggesting that this number will increase to close on 3 million as early as next summer.

The Tories were derided in the 1990s – rightly in my view – after the then Chancellor Norman Lamont said that rising unemployment was a price well worth paying to keep inflation down.

The fact is, unemployment is a personal disaster for those individuals and their families who have to endure it and this should never be forgotten by politicians.

However, as the numbers of unemployed continues to go up in the months ahead, it is actions and not words that those affected will demand.

I was therefore very pleased when, yesterday, Conservative Leader David Cameron proposed offering tax cuts worth £2,500 per person, per year to employers who hire new workers previously unemployed for three months or more.

£2.6 billion of tax breaks would be given to employers in total and this would be paid for using the money saved on welfare payments.

Crucially, the proposal would create an estimated 350,000 new jobs over the next year – exactly what the economy and the country needs at this time.

I hope very much that Gordon Brown takes David’s advice and acts on this very sensible suggestion without delay.