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Link: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=9854&st=19:09:45

This week, Rachel led a debate in the House of Commons, calling on the Government to reintroduce Labour's bankers bonus tax to raise £2 billion to fund 100,000 for young people. As unemployment rises and youth unemployment has topped 1 million, it is more important than ever that the Government listens to Labour and commits itself to a plan for jobs and growth.

Click here to view the video on Parliament TV

This week Rachel Reeves MP signed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, in doing so pledging her commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who died during the Holocaust.

Friday January 27th will mark the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and extermination camp which is the site of the largest mass murder in history – and in the weeks running up to the day, the Holocaust Educational Trust placed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, giving MPs the chance to honour those who were persecuted and killed during their Holocaust and encouraging constituents to actively speak out against prejudice and bigotry today.

Rachel will then deliver a speech in memory of those who died before lighting a candle in a Holocaust memorial service held at Leeds town hall on the 29th January.

Rachel said:

“Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity to remember the victims of genocide and to make a stand against racism and prejudice. I learned the true horror of the Holocaust during a visit with school children from Leeds West to Auschwitz. I also recently toured Yad VaShem, the largest holocaust museum in the world, during a visit to Israel. This museum reminds us all of the hardship faced by Jewish communities not only when the Nazis came to power, but in the preceding centuries around much of Europe.”

Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said:

“We are proud that Rachel Reeves MP is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day this year. It is vitally important that we both remember and learn from the appalling events of the Holocaust – as well as ensuring that we continue to challenge all forms of bigotry.”

Today Rachel was delighted to travel to Rotherham in her capacity as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to meet up with local Labour MP John Healy and visit U-Explore to learn more about the work they do providing interactive careers guidance for High Schools. Rachel received a first-hand look at how U-Explore is working to ensure that all young people are able to progress into suitable employment and training, regardless of their circumstances, and make informed, educated decisions about their futures.

The visit came after recent figures published showed that over a million young people were out of work in the three months to November. The number of 18 to 24-year-olds in Yorkshire claiming job seekers allowance more than doubled between January and December last year.

John Healey said: "U-Explore is making careers advice exciting and inspiring as well as informative. This is more important than it's ever been because it's tougher than it's ever been for young people to make that step into the world of work from school or college.

"Unemployment has soared to the highest level for a generation and long-term youth unemployment has more than doubled since January last year."

Rachel Reeves added: "It's great that U-Explore is helping young people get on the careers ladder. With unemployment at a 17-year high, they need support now more than ever. I am especially pleased that all the High Schools in Leeds West are using U-Explore, giving students support and inspiration.”

The core U-Explore product - a web-based platform supporting careers and work-related and enterprise learning that has reached over one third of all English secondary schools - was showcased to John and Rachel during their visit.

Please find below a PDF version of Rachel's Monthly Report, for January 2012.

Rachel, local Labour councillors and volunteers all took to the doorstep in the Fairfield area of Bramley last week, to introduce Caroline Gruen, this year’s local election Labour candidate in Bramley and Stanningley, to residents. Rachel and Caroline were also able to take the opportunity to hear about a number of issues currently affecting the area and to listen to the concerns of local people.

If you would like to help us to campaign around Leeds West, please do get in touch!

Last Friday Rachel shared a lunch of roast beef with the Fairfield Luncheon Club, at the Fairfield Community Centre in Bramley. Whilst there she also helped serve meals to the attendees and enjoyed chatting to all present!

Rachel said:

“It was great to see the hard work that the staff put into preparing meals for older people in the community. The Luncheon Club is a terrific way for everyone to keep in touch and to enjoy a great meal together, and I do hope to be able to pay them a return visit sometime in the future!”

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If you’re a constituent of Leeds West, Rachel would like to know your views on the recent bus fare increases. As you may know, fares have increased by over 7% in some cases; this makes the peak Day Rider ticket now nearly £5.

If you are a regular bus user and would like to share your views please complete the simple survey below regarding fare increses, bus reliability and customer service.

Please click here to take the Bus Survey

Last week Rachel visited Stanningley Primary School to observe a Speech and Language Therapy outreach session, organised by NHS Leeds Community Healthcare. While she was there, she was able to learn how these sessions operate in schools, and was offered the opportunity to help out with one.

Rachel commented:

“This project is crucial in ensuring that all primary school children reach secondary school with a strong understanding of language and speech. I would like to commend the hard work of the Speech and Language Therapy team, who do a marvellous job with everyone they work with.”