Britain will never succeed if we follow the Tory plan of a low wage, low skill economy – a race to the bottom in which ordinary, working people are always the losers. This approach will not secure more and better paid jobs for south Bristol.
We believe that prosperity must be built for the many, not the few.
That means winning a race to the top, with well paid, high skilled jobs in new industries, and more people setting up, leading and succeeding in business. This private sector growth needs to be supported by an active government, investing for the long-term, setting clear priorities, and enabling businesses to grow.
Bristol should be a world leader in low carbon technology and green jobs. When we open new renewable energy sites, we want to see British manufacturing companies producing the plants, equipment and technology that make them possible.
Our low carbon industries can create a million more of the high skilled jobs we need to win the race to the top.
More Apprenticeships
Far too many young people in south Bristol are having real difficulty finding decent jobs. Many more high quality apprenticeships are needed, so that young people can get the experience and confidence that they need to get on in life.
Only one in ten employers in Bristol and across the UK offers apprenticeships and that needs to change. Labour wants every firm with a major government contract and every employer hiring skilled workers from outside the EU to pay back the country by offering apprenticeships.
With new skills and opportunities the next generation will not be left behind.
Labour’s plan for the economy
• Promote the Living Wage through legislation
• Increase the National Minimum Wage to £8 an hour
• Ban exploitative zero hour contracts
• Create a million new high tech, green jobs by 2025
• Insulate five million homes over the next ten years
• Cut business rates for 1.5 million business properties