Vann slams Labour's waste of £12.5 billion as ratio of unemployed to vacancies in Bedford and Kempston rises above national average

Henry Vann, parliamentary campaigner for the Liberal Democrats in Bedford and Kempston has slammed Labour's waste of £12.5 billion on a short term VAT cut.

Jobseekers allowance claimants in Bedford and Kempston outnumber vacancies by five to one this is above the national average which is currently four to one as the recession bites.

As the credit crunch bites, more people are likely to become unemployed.

Commenting on the figures, Henry said: "Once again, this Labour government is letting us down. Instead of wasting £12.5 billion on a temporary VAT cut, we should use the money to invest in infrastructure and create new jobs now.

"This money could be used to provide real help, now, but instead, Labour are continuing to waste money on a short term VAT cut of 2.5 percentage points which pales into insignificance when compared to sales of as much as 75 per cent on the high street.

"Labour seem unable to help, and the Conservatives would not help. Only the Liberal Democrats are offering to use this money to invest now in our green road to recovery which will boost infrastructure projects and create much needed jobs."