Virginia Blackburn has criticised Andy Burnham's approach to tackling the Neets crisis, arguing that the socialist solution of guaranteeing training and work opportunities is not the right way to go. Instead, she believes the focus should be on making it easier for young people to get jobs.
Writing in her opinion piece, Blackburn draws on her own experiences as a teenager and graduate in the 1980s, when she had no trouble finding work due to fewer restrictions. She highlights that zero-hours Saturday jobs were common and young children could do paper rounds without age-related limits on working hours.
A Call for Free Market Solutions
Blackburn asserts that Andy Burnham will not solve the Neets crisis because socialism is in his DNA. She argues that it is not the state but the free market that will address the problem, and until the Prime Minister understands this, the younger generation will be failed.
She points to signs of life in the Conservative Party, noting that Kemi's ratings are soaring and she has the right instincts. Blackburn references the anti-Thatcher catchphrase from the 1980s, "Gis a job," and urges Kemi to turn it back on the opposition.
Historical Context and Criticism
The article recalls that in the 1970s, Labour Chancellors were not foolish enough to make it more expensive for employees to take on more staff, a contrast to current policies. Blackburn concludes by encouraging Kemi to give young people a job, framing this as the solution to the crisis.
