London mayoral Green candidate Jenny Jones visits Hackney to launch jobs manifesto

Jenny Jones, London mayoral candidate for the Green party (centre) steps out in Mare Street with Cllr Darren Johnson AM (centre left), Caroline Allen (left) and Mustafa Korel (right)

Green Party mayoral candidate Jenny Jones visited Hackney to launch the Green Party’s policy on jobs and employment.

Jones launched the Green 2012 jobs and employment manifesto on Mare Street in Hackney Central, accompanied by running mate Cllr Darren Johnson AM, Assembly candidate for North East London Caroline Allen and Hackney Central ward byelection candidate Mustafa Korel.

Jones, 62, said: “Green Assembly Members elected in May will fight to ensure that every young person in London is offered a job or apprenticeship. Green Assembly Members support strong investment and protection of local economies.”

Allen added: “Hackney is one of the poorest areas in London, and is in real need of policies to reduce the gap between rich and poor and help young people find employment.”

Key policies from the jobs manifesto launched in Hackney last week (23 April) include creating at least 150,000 high-quality apprenticeships aimed at young people under 25 paying the London Living Wage or more, lobbying to prevent chain stores taking over independent shops and supporting small businesses and social enterprises.

Other promises include keeping jobs and money in the local economy by commissioning research into “buy local” schemes and working with boroughs and trade bodies to promote those that work.

Mustafa Korel, candidate for the Hackney Central byelection said: “In a time when Londoners and Hackney citizens are being squeezed to tighten their pockets and to find alternative means to supplement their income, it’s refreshing to hear a party will create jobs and support small traders. This is much needed in Hackney, particularly when youth unemployment is at its highest in 15 years.”

Other Green London campaign policies include making housing more affordable with new housing, bringing down fares so that public transport is always cheaper than driving and generating clean energy from food waste.

Jones has held public office as an Assembly Member since 2000 and was Deputy Mayor of London in 2003-2004.