Jon Ashworth MP visits Tolsam Community Interest Company as part of his Leicester's youth unemployment problem campaign |
Friday October 28 2011 |
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Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, visited Tolsam Community Interest Company as part of his campaign to get the government to deal with Leicester's youth unemployment problem.
Tolsam, which is based in the City Centre, offers alternative education to 14 to 16 year olds that are, have been, or in danger of, exclusion from main stream school and are therefore at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training).
All students complete a ‘soft skills' assessment at three points during their time with Tolsam. This assessment demonstrates to students the progress they have made in areas not usually measured, such as team working and communication, and can be added to their CVs.
This Community Interest Company also delivers Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities (NLDC), which is aimed at workless people over age of 19 and includes vocational training and employability skills.
Jon commented: “As well as engaging with the under 16s to prevent youth unemployment, an example of the fantastic work undertaken by Tolsam is their delivery of the Construction Skills Card Scheme which was open to all City residents over age of 19 and workless.
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At the end of this scheme 40% of the participants progressed into work, further education and voluntary work.” |
Photo below: Jon Ashworth MP with Jordon Ryder, who attends Tolsam three days a week,
Above right: Jon with Claudette Dowdye, A Skills for Life Tutor.
Below right: Jon with Sam Mason, the Business Director of Tolsam.
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Jon Ashworth MP demands government takes action to deal with Leicester's youth unemployment problem |
Friday October 28 2011 |
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Jon attended the launch event of the Highfields Community Association's Future Job Funds Evaluation Report and presented certificates to the young people and partner agencies involved in the scheme.
Speaking at the event in Highfields, highlighting youth unemployment and the positive impact of the now scrapped Future Jobs Fund, Jon Ashworth said:
“Our levels of youth unemployment are simply unacceptable. We are in danger of seeing a generation written off. The government needs to take action to deal with Leicester's youth unemployment problem and to do so as a matter of urgency.”
In Leicester City there are now approaching 4,000 unemployed 18 to 24 year olds, and in the Leicester South Constituency there are 1,365 unemployed people under 24 year olds, which represents an annual rise of over 20%.
One of the first decisions of the Coalition Government was to cancel the extension of Young Person's Guarantee including the Future Jobs Fund scheme, which closed in March 2011.
In his remarks at the event, Jon said: “The Prime Minister told me earlier this month in the House of Commons that the Future Jobs Fund initiative provided just ‘phoney' jobs, it is clear from the evaluation report we are launching today that this is far from the case.”
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“Forty one young people participated in the Highfields Community Association Future Jobs Fund scheme, 54% of whom went into full or part-time employment and education after the completion of the programme. All participants who completed the scheme also achieved at least one accredited qualification. This is real assistance and support, not phoney jobs.”
“Since the Prime Minister's remarks, I have been inundated with young people from across the country telling me how the Future Jobs Fund helped them find real work – a far cry from supposed ‘phoney' jobs the Prime Minister talks of.” |
Photos below from top to bottom:
Jon Ashworth MP speaking at the launch event of the Highfields Community Association's Future Job Funds Evaluation Report, Jon with young people who had FJF placements (from left to right – Cynthia, Hetal and Ahmed), Jon presenting a certificate to Sudha Vemuri from Shama Women's Centre. Shama was one of the partner agencies who took on young people under FJF. |
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Jon Ashworth MP attends the Diwali Lights switching on |
Sunday October 16 2011 |
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Jon Ashworth took part in the switching on of the Diwali lights on Belgrave Road which was attended by 35,000 people and was honoured to speak at the event alongside Keith Vaz MP and Liz Kendall MP.
Speaking afterwards Jon said: “There was a terrific atmosphere at the Diwali Lights switch on and the Golden Mile looks fabulous.
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Leicester's Diwali celebrations are the best in the world outside India and I want to thank everyone involved in organising this fantastic event.”
“I also want take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy and peaceful Diwali.” |
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Jon Ashworth MP pushes Prime Minister on rising youth unemployment |
Thursday October 13 2011 |
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With new figures showing youth unemployment close to 1 million and with over 3,500 young people unemployed across Leicester, Jon Ashworth, who has been supporting the Ready 4 Work campaign, pushed the Prime Minister to explain what had happened to his pledge to ‘reverse the trend of rising youth unemployment.'
Jon Ashworth also asked the Prime Minister whether he had met a young unemployed person in recently.
Speaking after Prime Minister's Question Time Jon Ashworth said: “On the day new figures reveal youth unemployment to be close to a million, the government urgently need to put measures in place to help young people in Leicester move into work.”
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Photos above show Jon in Parliament asking the Prime MInister about his pledge to reverse the
trend of rising youth unemployment
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Jon Ashworth MP welcomes Leicester College Students to Westminister |
Wednesday October 12 2011 |
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Speaking after the visit of students from Leicester College, Jon commented: “Liz Kendall and I were delighted to welcome Leicester College students to Westminster on Wednesday and discuss what's on their mind such as youth unemployment, tuition fees, and EMA cuts along with many other issues.”
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If any of Jon's constituents would like to visit Westminster please contact his office. |
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Jon Ashworth MP presents certificates to local young people |
Sunday October 9 2011 |
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Jon Ashworth MP presents prizes to young people hosted by Leicester's Bangladesh Youth and Cultural Shomiti.
Jon Ashworth presented certificates of achievement to local young people who have passed their GCSE, A-Levels and degree exams.
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Jon Ashworth said: “It was brilliant to celebrate the achievements of so many local young people.
This was a brilliant event, not just for the students but for family too. |
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I also want to pay tribute to our local teachers and all those who work in our education sector who do a tremendous job.”
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Jon Ashworth MP visits St Matthews Tenants and Residents Association |
Friday October 7 2011 |
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Jon Ashworth MP visited the Tenants and Residents Association on the St Matthews Estate which is just outside the City Centre on Friday 7 October. He met with the Chair of the Association, Jean Williams, and local Councillors.
At a meeting at the offices of the Association, Jon and the local Councillors (Mohammed Dawood and Dr Chowdhury) listened to the concerns of Jean Williams and discussed many local and national issues.
Jon and Councillor Dr Chowdhury then accompanied Jean on a walkabout around the estate.
Jon commented:“It is clear that Jean has an affinity for the area and is well respected by the local residents. Jean has been the Chair of the Tenants and Residents Association for more years than she cares to remember but during this time she has achieved a great deal for the estate.”
During this walkabout Jon visited various communal areas where regular maintenance appeared to be lacking, and they also visited an area where it is hope to find funding for a small playground for young children.
Jon stated: “Due to the hard work of Jean and the Association funding has been secured to provide the necessary fencing in the area of the playground, but now the search is on for money for the actual play equipment. I have promised to do all that I can to assist with this task and I hope to return in the not too distant future to open the much needed playground.”
During this visit it was agreed that Jon will hold regular surgeries at the St Matthews Tenants and Residents Association offices on Manitoba Road.
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The first of these surgeries is on Friday 18 November 2011 from 11.30am to 1.00pm. Please come along if you have any issues or problems you want your MP's help with.
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Above; Jon with Jean and Cllr Dr Chowdhury at offices of St Matthews Tenants & Residents Association, Leicester. Below; Cllr Dr Chowdhury, Jon and Jean on walkabout in St Matthews. |
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The St Matthews Tenants and Residents Association is at 88 Manitoba Road and can be contacted on 0116 2532426. |
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Above; Jon Ashworth MP and Cllr Dr Chowdhury shown an overgrown area by Jean. Below, Jean and Jon at the area where it is hoped to have a playground
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| Jon Ashworth MP attends first meeting of the Leicester Child Poverty Commission |
Monday October 3 2011 |
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Jon Ashworth MP, one of the Commissioners, attended the first meeting of the Commission which was held on Monday 3 October 2011. The Commission met at the Linwood Centre on Saffron Lane.
The Commission was set up by Deputy City Mayor Cllr Rory Palmer to identify the local causes of the problem and to find new ways of tackling it. Significantly, more than 35% of children in Leicester live in poverty, which amounts to 27,000 children
Jon Ashworth stated: “My fear is that unless national and local government act, child poverty in Leicester will get worse. That's why I welcome the Child Poverty Commission looking into what measures we can take locally to help alleviate child poverty and I look forward to playing a full role in its work.”
Deputy City Mayor Cllr Rory Palmer said: “We are all agreed this will not be a talking shop. Our aim is to change policy to change lives, and we are all committed to achieving this.”
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Led by Cllr. Palmer, the other Commission's members are Imran Hussain, Head of Policy, Rights and Advocacy for the Child Poverty Action Group, Cllr Vi Dempster, Assistant City Mayor responsible for children, young people and schools, Rachel Dickinson, the City Council's Strategic Director for Children's Services, and Mandy Ashton, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Health and Life Sciences at De Montfort University. Baroness Professor Ruth Lister, Emiretus Professor of Social Policy at Loughborough University, is a senior advisor to the commission.
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The Commission will meet again in December, when it will finalise its plans for going out to meet with local people and other city organisations in January.
More details about the Commission and about child poverty in Leicester are on the Council's website at;
www.leicester.gov.uk/childpovertycommission
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| Jon Ashworth MP launches campaign to support Leicester's Working Men's Clubs |
Saturday October 1 2011 |
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Jon Ashworth visited the Saffron Lane Working Men's Club on Saturday morning where he signed up as member, and met regulars and licensees from across Leicester to discuss how we can support Leicester's Working Men's Clubs.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Jon Ashworth said: “Over decades Working Men's Clubs have been a cornerstone of local communities but it's a sad fact of modern life that they are not as popular as they used to be and too many have closed across the country.”
“But I strongly believe there is still an important role for these Clubs. That's why I'm bringing together a group of Leicester licensees and club regulars to talk about what more can be done to support our local Working Men's Clubs.”
“I'll also be inviting along local community leaders to see if there are new ways locally we can support our Working Men's Clubs as a community resource as well.”
“And of course, I'll also be signing up as a member of Saffron Lane Working Men's Club too.”
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Deputy City Mayor, Rory Palmer, who is also the ward Councillor for Eyres Monsell commented: "Working Men's Clubs are an important institution in the life of our communities.
As a member of the Eyres Monsell Working Men's Club I have seen how they work to make a positive contribution to the local community. There is a strong tradition of Working Men's Clubs in Leicester and we need to work together to maintain this into the future."
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Above left; Jon Ashworth MP with Deputy City Mayor Councillor Rory Palmer and Peter Kelly from Saffron Lane Working Men’s Club, photo above right;
Jon with
local constituent Phil Johnson
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