Sheffield Green Party will launch its local election campaign on Friday April 15 at JobcentrePlus, West Street to highlight the 963,000 unemployed aged between 16 to 24 in figures released today which showed a small rise over the last 3 months. The trend suggests the figure could hit 1 million soon – 1 in 5 are already out of work.

Cllr Jillian Creasy, who is standing for re-election comments :

“Youth unemployment rose significantly under Labour and is now spiralling upwards under the coalition government. Thanks to the three big parties, large numbers of young people are seeing their futures seriously damaged. Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories all favour big spending cuts, though they know these lead to substantial job losses. By contrast, we argue that the UK could create at least a million new jobs, by closing tax loopholes and taxing very wealthy people and banks more. Voters in this election have a real choice – either the positive future offered by the Greens; or more of the pain seen under the Labour and coalition governments.”

Bernard Little, seeking election in Broomhill ward which has a high student population, comments : “Sheffield graduates face a bleak job market. Many face a long period of unemployment with student debts hanging over their heads. Future Sheffield University students face £9,000 a year tuition fees with Hallam fees likely to be at least £8,000 a year. The abolition of the Educational Maintenance Allowance will stop many from poorer backgrounds from going to university. Free education can be funded from general taxation to allow people from all backgrounds the same opportunities.”

NOTES :

Key issues for Sheffield Green Party in this election campaign are :

Jobs not cuts – Unlike Labour and the Lib Dems, we would reduce the financial deficit by closing tax loopholes and taxing wealthy people and banks more. We must invest in jobs and public services. Sheffield could lead the way in manufacturing for renewable energy, public transport and local food production.

Secure housing – We want long-term, secure tenancies. We would bring Sheffield Homes back into the council and force better standards in private rented houses. We would spend more on repairs, green energy and energy saving for all homes.

Strong communities – Good local facilities and support for volunteers, not cuts to public services, are the only way to build communities and cut crime. We support local schools, groups and campaigns. We consult local people and help them get their voice heard.

In the council budget for 2011/12, we proposed making a small charge for green garden waste sacks and cutting top executive pay. The money would have funded investment in renewable energy and stopped cuts to:

– advice centres like Sharrow Citizens Advice Bureau

– Sure Start Children’s Centres

– Police Community Support Officers

– day care and respite for elderly people.

To find out about your Green Party candidate visit the Your Area page.

A full list of all the candidates can be found on the Council website.