Chris Huhne

Jobs matter more than anything else to people without them: the ability to earn a living and support our family is crucial to our happiness and success. We will ensure that jobs and the economy continue to grow by making sure that cuts in spending do not hit growth and employment.

We cannot afford a recovery of the sort we had under the Conservatives when growth was so slow that unemployment went on rising for six years. Under the Liberal Democrats, every young person under 24 will get a guaranteed job or training place if they are out of work for more than three months.

Our jobs plan – designed by Dr Vince Cable – will ensure that we foster the new industries we will need as we cut down on the use of oil, gas and coal. Green technology can save energy in our homes and businesses, and also provide new jobs in the renewable energy industries – particularly wind and tide – that will power tomorrow’s businesses.

We will strengthen the economy by requiring the Bank of England to take house prices into account when setting interest rates and we will effectively regulate the banking system to prevent irresponsible lending and business practices. Vince Cable’s plan will split up the banks so that casino banks never again rely on taxpayers’ hard-earned cash to bail them out. Mainstream banks will be forced not to take big risks.