Tories’ economic policies ‘holding back the potential of British youth’

ED MILIBAND has claimed the UK government’s economic policy is harming the “huge potential” of young people.

The Labour leader joined shadow chancellor Ed Balls and Ken Livingstone, the party’s candidate to be mayor of London, on a visit to a centre in Camden, north London, that supports new firms and individuals working in the creative industries.

Mr Miliband said economic growth was “the most important thing” after meeting young entrepreneurs and youths concerned about unemployment.

They discussed what support was needed to help young people achieve their goals, and Mr Miliband said: “That potential isn’t being met because of, frankly, what this government is doing to our economy.

“It isn’t taking action to get our economy moving. It isn’t doing the necessary things to get young people into work.

“What we need is a government that will take a different course.”

He added: “The most important thing that will make a difference to them now is how our economy is doing, because if our economy isn’t growing there aren’t going to be the apprenticeships, there aren’t going to be the opportunities for small businesses, and this is the message we heard loud and clear.”

Meanwhile Mr Balls claimed that the party’s five-point plan – which includes a temporary cut in VAT to 17.5 per cent – would help avoid a period of long-term youth unemployment such as the one seen in the 1980s.