Sceptics question 'new jobs for 85,000'

Published on Wednesday 2 September 2009 21:47

THE government has come under attack after unveiling measures it said would create an extra 85,000 jobs and training opportunities for young people.

The Prime Minister said more than 150 employers, including Royal Mail, Microsoft, Pfizer, Phones4U, Centrica and Morrisons, would provide apprenticeships, work or training, adding the government and business could create thousands of opportunities.

But the Tories said Gordon Brown needed to "come clean" on the figures and the Lib Dems described the announcement as "characteristically timid and lacking in ambition".

A group campaigning on behalf of young people said no real jobs were being created.

Mr Brown and Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper, pictured, met employers and young people at a jobs summit in Birmingham to launch the Backing Young Britain initiative.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Theresa May said: "Gordon Brown needs to come clean on the numbers.

"How many of these job and training opportunities are being offered to unemployed young people and how many are being offered to those already in work?"