Douglas Alexander, Labour's International Development Secretary, along with
Labour South East MEP, Peter Skinner, Labour Crawley MP and Assistant South
East Minister, Laura Moffatt launched Labour's South East campaign for the
European and county council elections today.

Douglas met local young apprentices at Central Sussex College, Crawley to
highlight that Labour is the only party standing resolutely for the hard
working majority of the British people by putting in place the building
blocks for future recovery - Investing in families, training, jobs and key
sectors.

The number of people completing apprenticeships in Crawley has risen from 80
in 2004 to 150 in 2008 - a rise of 88% in just 4 years.

But Douglas Alexander, Peter Skinner and Laura Moffatt warned that all this
could be put at risk by the Conservatives' plans for cuts in public
spending. The Conservatives are committed to cutting £610m from spending on
skills, universities and science in this budget year. These cuts could mean
that not a single person over 19 in Crawley or across the South East would
be able to start an apprenticeship next year.

Douglas Alexander, Labour's International Development Secretary, said:
"Global recession needs global solutions - this Labour Government is working
internationally, nationally and locally to get people through these tough
times and build a better future. I was delighted to meet all the apprentices
at Central Sussex College in Crawley today and was very impressed with the
apprenticeship schemes on offer. We are giving real support to all - not tax
cuts for the few."

Peter Skinner, Labour MEP for the South East, said:
"On 4th June, people voting in the European and county council elections in
the South East have a clear choice. We believe that we must grow our way out
of recession not cut our way out. Under the Conservatives we face
international isolation but we need to work with other countries to achieve
global solutions to win the fight for Britain's future."

Laura Moffatt, Labour MP for Crawley and Assistant Minister for the South
East said:
"I am an ardent supporter of our apprenticeship schemes in Crawley and
Central Sussex College. I have said before that we are very lucky to have
such an excellent college with state of the art facilities, great teaching
staff and a fast developing national reputation.

"Conservative cuts to public spending could mean not a single person over 19
in Crawley or across the South East would be able to benefit from an
apprenticeship. In the current economic climate such a decision would be a
terrible blow. Apprenticeships are fantastic schemes which give people
options - the chance to retrain and learn on the job which is absolutely
vital."