Opposition Day — Bank Bonus Tax — Jobs — Homes — VAT — Apprenticeships — 13 Sep 2011 at 18:49

The majority of MPs voted against repeating the tax on bank bonuses to create 100,000 jobs and build 25,000 affordable homes; and against increased funding to support businesses through the Regional Growth Fund; against expanding apprentices and ensuring public sector contractors offer them; and against a VAT cut.

The text of the motion rejected in this vote was:

• That this House
• believes that young people face a more uncertain future which may not offer the increased opportunities and prosperity enjoyed by their parents and their grandparents;
• notes that, following the Government’s decision to cut public spending too far and too fast, it has targeted young people with cuts, resulting in nearly one million young people not in education, employment or training;
• further notes with concern that there were no university places for around 100,000 applicants this year, that tuition fees are trebling, university places will be cut next year and many universities will lose popular courses;
• highlights that the proportion of apprenticeship places for 16 to 18 year olds has decreased by 11 per cent., new apprenticeships are providing mainly short-term training for older workers, the Future Jobs Fund has been scrapped, the apprenticeship guarantee abandoned, Education Maintenance Allowance ended, homelessness has risen and homebuilding is at a 90-year low;
• believes the Government must take action to secure business growth to create opportunities for young people;
• resolves that the Government should repeat the bank bonus levy to create over 100,000 jobs through a youth jobs fund, to build 25,000 affordable homes and to support business through increased funding for the Regional Growth Fund;
• calls on the Government to expand apprenticeships for young people and to ensure that public sector contractors offer apprenticeships; and
• further calls on the Government to enact a temporary VAT cut to boost consumer spending, business confidence and support the UK’s high streets.

Debate in Parliament | Source |