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Tories tackle 'huge social gulf' Tories to tackle UK 'social gulf'
(about 3 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. A "huge social gulf" has opened up between rich and poor in Britain and the Tories are "now the only party that can tackle poverty", they claim.
Chris Grayling said the consequences of not bridging the gap were "enormous". The Tories 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.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. But in a speech to business leaders in Liverpool, Mr Grayling, the shadow work and pensions secretary, claimed the Tories were now the only party that "can rebuild social mobility in Britain".
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM 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. Outlining a five-point plan for "reuniting our broken cities", he cited Liverpool as an example of the "vast social divide", between its city centre, which boasts one of the country's biggest new shopping centres, and Toxteth.
"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." He said there he "could show you streets where no-one works, street corners where drug dealing is the main business, children being brought up in squalor, a caged up pub with pit bulls as bouncers - gangs, knives and guns in abundance".
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. "Life expectancy inequalities across the UK are at their widest since Victorian times," he said.
The Tories also pledge better support for community groups operating in deprived areas. "There could be no clearer indicator of a society that is getting things wrong - where fairness is being missed out.
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. "And it's not just health inequalities that are so stark. The financial gap between the richest and the poorest is at its widest for generations. In fact it is at its highest level since records began.
Responsibility Voluntary input
"There are areas of every major city in this country where you will find communities with no children being brought up in poverty sitting side by side with ones where literally every child is being brought up in poverty - according to the government's own figures."
Under Conservative plans, a network of back-to-work centres would be set up in the most deprived communities, run by voluntary groups.
There would be help for children who are falling behind before they even reach school and tougher action against lawlessness in those areas.
A National Citizen Service would be available to all 16-year-olds, to teach young people about their responsibilities in society, plus a move towards improving support for and involvement in voluntary groups.
Mr Grayling is visiting 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.
When will the Tories admit that the problems in deprived cities got worse in the 1990s when they were in charge? Jenny WillottLiberal Democrats
His speech builds on Conservative leader David Cameron's criticism of what he calls, Labour's "broken society".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."