We have created three million jobs in ten years. Jobless numbers are the lowest in a generation. As youth unemployment and long term unemployment have practically disappeared locally, we can concentrate on helping the remainder into work. They include some of the hardest to employ.

Already New Deal programmes exist to help the under 25s, the over 50s, lone parents and disabled people find work. Now that same sort of help will be available to everyone: advice, training, work experience. High Peak's Jobcentres have a first class record of giving people the personalised help they need to ease back into work. Now we are asking them to do more.

It is not unreasonable, if someone has been out of work for 12 months, for them to show they are serious about getting a job by doing 4 weeks' work experience. Nor is it wrong to ask a disabled person 'What could you do?' instead of assuming they can do nothing. Those who cannot work because of a drug habit will be required to have treatment.

An exciting aspect of the package is doubling the funding for Access to Work. This programme helps employers make their premises disabled-friendly. It can also help people who become disabled to stay in the workplace longer. Compared to dropping out, this will improve their income and their dignity.

People who get into the habit of not working find that habit very hard to break – and so do their children. Finding work for everyone who is capable of it is a real investment for the future.