Scotland is on the cliff-edge of a major jobs crisis. We now have the highest unemployment rate of all four nations of the UK. From tourism to hospitality, from aerospace to the arts, job losses are in the headlines every day.
That’s why Scottish Labour is launching our Jobs for Good campaign today. Scotland needs a plan for jobs including a quality jobs guarantee scheme now. Otherwise, when the furlough scheme ends, we will face mass unemployment. Unless we make the right choices now, the Scottish Government will write off a lost generation of young workers.
The Tory government at Westminster has announced a “Kickstart” scheme – but look at the small print and it’s not all that it seems. It is right to aim job opportunities at young people, but it offers nothing to anyone older than 24. It is based on poverty wages, for only 25 hours a week.
Scotland has the power – and the opportunity – to be bolder. We can create jobs to build a fairer, greener and better economy. We can guarantee long-term employment, or training to upgrade workers’ skills for life. And through providing free childcare, we can help close the gender gap in employment and pay.
Since Covid-19 hit Scotland and the lockdown began, we have seen a growing public expectation that the powers of government should be used to help those in need. Let’s build on that.
Let’s send a message that there can be no going back to the same old politics which left Scotland unprepared for the public health crisis, the care crisis and unprepared for the economic crisis. Let’s create Jobs for Good.
Richard Leonard is Leader of Scottish Labour
