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As a shadow minister, my job is to hold the Government to account on employment policy. There hasn’t been much good news recently. After a modest fall, unemployment rose to 7.8% last month, and youth unemployment increased to almost a million. The Government’s flagship employment policy, the Work Programme, has been deeply disappointing, and its Youth Contract a complete flop. Current economic policy isn’t working, and the economy isn’t growing. That means things are likely to get worse. The official budget forecast was that unemployment will rise next year.

Unemployment is up in Newham too. However, we have some opportunities following the success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Firms are looking to invest in East London, to benefit from the legacy of London 2012.

I organised a Jobs Fair last September at West Ham United FC with my colleague Lyn Brown. 700 jobseekers attended, to meet with companies and training providers. The businesses were impressed by the enthusiasm of the jobseekers they met on the day.

Given excellent feedback, we are planning another Jobs Fair. It will be on Thursday 2 May, from 10.00 am to 4 pm. West Ham has kindly given us space again at the Boleyn Ground. Several companies with current vacancies have already signed up, and others will do so in the next few weeks.

Representatives from Jobcentre Plus and Newham Workplace will also be there. They will run workshops throughout the day, for example on interviews and CV writing.

If you are looking for a job, please make a note of the date and come along. Everyone is welcome. For further information, contact me on 020 7219 4000 or stephen@stephentimms.org.uk. And if you are an employer with vacancies interested in exhibiting, let me know. It is not too late to book a stand.