Exactly six months ago the nation stood transfixed as London 2012 opened with a stunning ceremony. Over the following weeks the Olympics and Paralympics became, to many, the proudest moment in recent British history. London 2012 told the story of what we can achieve as a nation and who, as a society, we have become. And, from the sports personality awards to the New Year's honours list, we've had several occasions to bask in this glory.
During this unforgettable summer of sport, there was much talk of capitalising on the golden moments brought about by the Games. But today, many people are still no closer to finding out what this means in practice, or what the much discussed Olympic legacy will look like.
Today the Observer reports that the government is failing to honour pledges on promoting sport and increasing participation. Meanwhile, those like my constituents living in the Olympic boroughs feel similarly betrayed. For them, the most important question remains unanswered: how can a lasting and positive impact on employment and opportunities be secured in these difficult economic times?
Despite a commitment to ensure that 20,000 Olympics jobs went to residents of the Games' host boroughs, fewer than half (9,700) actually did. And for young people in east London the main concern remains jobs.
Week in week out, I meet hundreds of youngsters crying out for work. When I recently hosted a graduate employability event at Queen Mary, University of London, in Mile End, we heard from many who were desperate to gain advice and the skills to get on the employment ladder. Students, including graduates who have studied hard and played by the rules, told me how demoralising their search for a job was. What makes things worse is that even where the job opportunities are available, local young people are often being overlooked.
As we look ahead, the government is claiming that Tech City in London's East End is poised to attract investment for new businesses and local job opportunities. It was hoped the 2012 employment legacy project, costing £4.5m, would provide unemployed local residents with jobs after the Games. The Host Borough Employment project, with a budget of £15m, focused on the long-term unemployed in the six Olympic authority areas, including Tower Hamlets. However, the government's failed economic strategy has meant that preparations made for the legacy have proved inadequate.
The jobless rate in my constituency, Bethnal Green and Bow, remains among the highest in the country, and many are people struggling. Long-term unemployment went up by 26% in 2012, and long-term youth unemployment increased by 55% over the same period. The coalition's Work Programme is failing in my constituency, where a dismal 2% of people referred have been placed in jobs.
London 2012 made us believe there is no limit to what we can achieve. David Cameron and Lord Coe are falling short on their promises. We now need leadership on transforming a dazzling cultural legacy into genuine economic gains that will benefit the local population for generations.
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