Youth Unemployment and Bank Bonuses

Lord Walney Excerpts

Monday 23rd January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

I will give way to the hon. Member for Barrow and Furness (John Woodcock), who has not intervened before.

[John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness) (Lab/Co-op)]

The Chief Secretary is being very up-front with the House about the fact that he believes that he is doing everything in his power to tackle youth unemployment—yet according to the Office for Budget Responsibility’s own figures, unemployment is scheduled to rise in the coming period. Does he think that that rise is inevitable?

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

I call Douglas Alexander.