In the last recession young people were left on the scrapheap. I am determined that this should not happen this time and that every young person who would otherwise be long term unemployed gets a job or training.

The Budget for Jobs announced a new £1bn Future Jobs Fund which aims to create 150,000 jobs for people at risk of long term unemployment.

The Future Jobs Fund is part of more than £3bn investment in extra skills and training for jobseekers, which has enabled the UK Government to be able to guarantee work or training to every 18 to 24 year old who is in danger of becoming long term unemployed.

We aim to have that guarantee in place by January but are looking to develop jobs fund places as quickly as possible.

The Labour Government has put up the money, now it is up to us to come up with the ideas as to how we can give real jobs in the community to young people who are out of work.

I want to hear people's ideas for what needs doing locally. Please visit the contact section of my website to get in touch.

We need to work together to make sure we use this opportunity to help young people get jobs but also to make sure those jobs help the community.

The Fund, though only announced last week, is open for business and already sports organisations have pledged to create 5,000 jobs for young people

Speaking about the Future Jobs Fund, James Purnell, Work and Pensions secretary said:

"Ann and other Labour MPs have campaigned hard against unemployment and the Future Jobs Fund is the result.

"I want Glasgow North to get its fair share of this money and more importantly to make sure that young people are not abandoned to life on benefits like in the last recession.

"I want to see local councils, third sector groups and others coming forward with ideas on how to create jobs for young people. Work can give young people pride and purpose and local people know the useful jobs they could be doing in the local area."