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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Tories tackle 'huge social gulf' | Tories tackle 'huge social gulf' |
| (about 2 hours 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. | 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". | Chris Grayling said the consequences of not bridging the gap were "enormous". |
| The proposals include work placements for 18-21 year olds in areas affected by gang crime and cash 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. | Labour said they already planned job placements for the young. The Lib Dems called it a "rehash" of old ideas. |
| "What we've got now in our cities is areas of deprivation," said Mr Grayling, who is shadow work and pensions secretary. | "What we've got now in our cities is areas of deprivation," said Mr Grayling, who is shadow work and pensions secretary. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
| "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." |
| Under the plans, being outlined in a speech to business leaders in Liverpool, Mr Grayling will call for help to tackle the problem of children who are falling behind before they even reach school and tougher action against lawlessness in those areas. | |
| The Tories also pledge better support for community groups operating in deprived areas. | |
| Mr Grayling will visit some of the most troubled areas of Liverpool where gun crime, in particular, has been a rising problem in recent years. He will also talk to locals who are living with the challenges on those estates. | |
| Responsibility | |
| His speech builds on Conservative leader David Cameron's criticism of what he calls, Labour's "broken society". | |
| 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. | 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? | "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. | "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." | "No-one believes that can make the real difference in struggling neighbourhoods. It just doesn't ring true." |