Monday, February 16, 2009

British jobs for British workers - McNulty's smoke and mirrors


Although we are constantly told that there are half a million job vacancies in the economy, Tony McNulty, the Employment Minister, has been given (deservedly) a right royal pasting over the few days about the effectiveness of Job Centre Plus and he has waffled and spluttered his way around the TV and radio studio circuit with his usual brand of bravado and attack-dog style.

Faced with, literally, thousands of emailed complaints to the various broadcasting organisations, he has blithely said that he will examine everyone of the individuals' complaints and address them directly. Yeah, sure he will.

But there is a bigger question to answer here. Unemployment figures, as measured by the number of people claiming job seekers allowance, is touching 2 million. So, even if these half a million job vacancies actually exist and they actually match the skills and salary aspirations (and their locations) of those people currently unemployed there will still be 1.5 million people who will not have a job.

When there are over 3 million people unemployed in a year's time will they still be saying that there are half a million vacancies and the Conservatives are the "do nothing" party?

4 comments:

subrosa said...

Ted that photo must be at least 10 years old. You flatter the ranting, raving Tony.

Ted Foan said...

It's on his website at the DWP. It must be up to date!

(That's why I used it!)

Oldrightie said...

What many people may have missed but my Mrs did not was his legging it from The Politics show on Sunday. Sopel, "After the programme where you are, The Minister will respond to the flood of emails coming in." Or words to that effect. After 15 minutes of how dreadful Brum has become we return to Sopel (very hung over in appearance) and no sign or mention of the nasty little creep of a coward!

Odin's Raven said...

Of course they'll be saying anything to distract attention from their own culpable incompetence.
Doing nothing is the best thing to do when government action only makes things worse. First, do no harm was part of the Hippocratic Oath, and those professing to cure the ills of society should observe it.