A more effective unemployment solution?

Unemployment benefit costs the taxpayer a fortune and can lead to the infamous ‘unemployment trap’ for unskilled and/or low paid jobs.

Surely, if the government subsidised employers, who take on long term unemployed, it could cost less than paying benefits, improve British business and get people back to work.

The employer can pay the minimum wage, topped up by the government subsidy, making a decent income. This allows businesses to employ more people and still be competitive. At the same time, less taxpayers money is spent on unemployment benefits and the economy gets a boost.

Fair import levies

How about an import levy on all products manufactured by companies, which don’t pay the minimum wage and don’t meet basic European health & safety requirements etc. This could reduce unfair overseas competition, encourage good overseas working practices and make British / European manufacturing more competitive.