A SOUTH Yorkshire MP has called for the introduction of a ‘Compulsory Jobs Guarantee’ to tackle ‘stubbornly high’ long-term unemployment in Barnsley.
Michael Dugher, Labour MP for Barnsley East, spoke out after a rise in jobseekers’ allowance claimants in the town between December 2011 and 2012, up from 6,955 to 7,470, despite a national fall.
Mr Dugher said the ‘big worry’ remains youth unemployment and long-term unemployment.
Youth unemployment in Barnsley now stands at 2,370 – down on the previous month, but still higher than a year ago.
Mr Dugher said that under a ‘Compulsory Job Guarantee’ scheme, adults out of work for more than 24 months would be offered a job, subsidised by the Government.
Unemployed people would have to take up the job opportunity or lose their benefits.
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