Work and Pensions Secretary told Labour's Annual Conference yesterday that “the
only way to get the economy growing again is to get Britain
working again.”
Labour's new ‘Get Britain Working' white paper, coming this
autumn, will usher in the “biggest reforms to employment support
in a generation”, she added.
Kendall used the speech to set out Labour's agenda to “drive up
opportunity and drive down poverty, in every corner of the land.”
Kendall said:
“All around us we see the consequences of Tory failure. Almost
record numbers of people who want to work – locked out because of
poor health. Millions stuck in low paid, insecure jobs. Mums
struggling with childcare. Disabled people denied equality. Food
bank use soaring. And more than four million children growing up
poor.
“This is the result, not only of a failed Tory Government. But a
failed Tory ideology which says opportunity is for only a
few. We say: no more.
“No more writing people off, then blaming them. No more denying
people chances and choices in life. But instead: real opportunity
for all. So families can build a better future. Children can
fulfil their potential. And so we build a stronger economy and
society too.
“The only way to get Britain growing again is to Get Britain
Working again. We will bring in the biggest reforms to employment
support in a generation.”
The White Paper will put into action the manifesto commitments
to:
- A new jobs and careers service to help people get work and
get on at work.
- Drive up employment in every corner of the country, with new,
joined-up work, health and skills plans led by Mayors and local
areas.
- Introduce a new Youth Guarantee – so every young person is
earning or learning.
On the Youth Guarantee, Kendall said: “We
will never allow young people to be written off before they have
even begun as the Tories did for years.”
Setting out how tackling child poverty is “why I came into
politics”, Kendall showed how she is spearheading government
work to help the poorest children across the country.
She said:
“Tackling child poverty is my personal priority.
“It's why I came into politics. Because you can't fulfil your
potential without food in your belly or a decent roof over your
head. And you can't build a better country when the talents of so
many are being denied.”
The Secretary of State set out the action that has already begun
to achieve this change, including by extending the Household
Support Fund, which she wrote to local authorities about
yesterday (Wednesday 25 September).
Kendall added:
“Despite all the problems we've inherited from the Tories, this
Labour Government has invested an extra half a billion pounds in
the Household Support Fund – helping families who need help
most.”
