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Tories to outline anti-gang plans Tories tackle 'huge social gulf'
(9 minutes later)
The Conservatives are due to set out their ideas for tackling gang culture and unemployment in Britain's cities. 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.
The Tories say a "huge social gulf" has opened up between the UK's rich and poor under the Labour government. Chris Grayling said the consequences of not bridging the gap were "enormous".
The proposals include work placements for young people in areas affected by gang crime and money for local groups dealing with the problem of gangs. The proposals include work placements for youngsters in areas affected by gang crime and money for local groups dealing with the problem of gangs.
But Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell says the government has already announced job placements for the young. Labour said they already planned job placements for the young. The Lib Dems called it a "rehash" of old ideas.
The Conservatives compare problems in cities with the social divisions of Victorian times.
'Broken society'
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Chris Grayling told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the consequences of not bridging the social divide are "enormous".
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
"What we've got now in our cities is areas of deprivation," he said. "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."