On the 14th March I questioned the Deputy Prime Minister about record-high unemployment rates during Prime Minister’s Questions.

The latest figures show that unemployment is now at its highest 17 years, and women’s unemployment is at its highest for 23 years.

Nationally, the number of young unemployed is over a million. Here in Leicester West the number of young people claiming unemployment benefits for more than 6 months has more than doubled over the past 12 months. Across the East Midlands, there are now more than 5 unemployed people for every available vacancy.

These shocking figures show that the Government’s reckless economic plan is hurting, but not working. More people out of work – claiming benefit rather than paying taxes – will not help Britain reduce the deficit, which was the goal of the Government’s ruthless cuts in the first place.

Their plan has backfired – they should change course and adopt Labour’s five point plan for jobs, including a tax on bankers’ bonuses to fund 100,000 jobs for young people, and a temporary VAT cut to help people struggling with rising prices and kick-start the economy.