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Tories tackle 'huge social gulf' | |
(9 minutes later) | |
The Conservatives are setting out their plans to tackle the "huge social gulf" they say has opened up between rich and poor people in Britain's cities. | |
Chris Grayling said the consequences of not bridging the gap were "enormous". | |
The proposals include work placements for youngsters in areas affected by gang crime and money for local groups dealing with the problem of gangs. | |
Labour said they already planned job placements for the young. The Lib Dems called it a "rehash" of old ideas. | |
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
"What we've got now in our cities is areas of deprivation," said Mr Grayling, who is shadow work and pensions secretary. | |
"Often they are estates where there's generational worklessness, where there's generational failure in schools and it's almost as if there are glass walls around those estates. | "Often they are estates where there's generational worklessness, where there's generational failure in schools and it's almost as if there are glass walls around those estates. |
"So if we want a society that is harmonious, if we want a society where, for example, gang crime is brought under control, were we have less anti-social behaviour, where we have less failure in schools, then we have to address the issue of these pockets of isolation from our society." | "So if we want a society that is harmonious, if we want a society where, for example, gang crime is brought under control, were we have less anti-social behaviour, where we have less failure in schools, then we have to address the issue of these pockets of isolation from our society." |
The speech builds on Conservative leader David Cameron's criticism of what he calls, Labour's "broken society". | The speech builds on Conservative leader David Cameron's criticism of what he calls, Labour's "broken society". |
No-one believes that can make the real difference in struggling neighbourhoods - it just doesn't ring true Jenny WillottLiberal Democrat MP | |
Last week, Prime Minister Gordon Brown attacked that idea and said there was nothing bad about Britain that could not be corrected by what was good about the country. | Last week, Prime Minister Gordon Brown attacked that idea and said there was nothing bad about Britain that could not be corrected by what was good about the country. |
Jenny Willott, the Lib Dems work and pensions spokeswoman, said: "This speech is just rehashing old announcements from the Conservatives. | |
"When will the Tories admit that the problems in deprived cities got worse in the 1990s when they were in charge? | |
"Instead of taking responsibility and telling us how they will help they say that volunteer groups and private companies must do all the hard work. | |
"No-one believes that can make the real difference in struggling neighbourhoods. It just doesn't ring true." |