Blackpool Jobs Fair hailed a success in Parliament

Blackpool Jobs Fair was praised in Parliament during a national debate on youth unemployment last week and for good reason.

More than 1,100 people secured jobs on the day with around 900 already working in their new roles. That’s Blackpool residents in real jobs, earning wages and building a future. That is Labour in action.

The Jobs Fair was praised by the Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, who joined me to open the Jobs Fair last month, in the House of Commons as part of a wider discussion about the nearly one million young people across the country who are not in education, employment or training. This huge waste of potential has to change.

I’ve said many times that we need to back sectors like hospitality and tourism, especially in coastal towns like ours. That’s where a lot of young people take their first step into the jobs market. I got my first opportunity at 14 selling kiss me quick hats and sticks of rock on Blackpool prom. It set me up for everything that came after.

I asked the Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, who joined me to open the Jobs Fair, if he agreed that this kind of approach is a game changer for towns like Blackpool.

He pointed to new foundation apprenticeships in hospitality that will help more young people get that first foot in the door. This sits alongside a wider plan to tackle youth unemployment, including hiring bonuses for businesses, expanded apprenticeships and 200,000 new job and training opportunities over the next three years.

What matters most to me is what this means locally. For people like Leila, 22, who came looking for work in hospitality and walked away with a new job at Spyglass bar. Or Enrique, 18, who was hired by the Big Blue Hotel on the spot. Meanwhile, Ben, 20, got advice, confidence and contacts that will help him when he graduates as a network engineer.

Blackpool Jobs Fair is now getting attention from MPs across the country who want to do the same in their areas. In Blackpool this is just the start. I’ll keep pushing to bring more jobs, more skills and more opportunities in our town until everyone has the chance they need to get ahead.