That nice Nick Clegg has announced that in a bid to combat youth unemployment, and prevent future outbreaks of rioting and looting by disaffected teens, that the government will foot half of the wage bill for employers who hire young people on minimum wage rates.
It's not yet quite clear yet where the money is coming from, although the smart gamblers are putting their money on the taxpayer, with the financial sector currently ranked at 1000-1 against subsidising the madcap scheme.
"So, and let me get this right," Local man, Martin Shuttlecock told reporters. "We're going to invest a billion in order to promote youth employment at minimum wage rates, and in so doing, we'll eliminate gun and knife crime, and give the fucking hoodies a reason to be. What a load of old shit! They're talking about flipping burgers and digging graves and shit like that. Why would any kid want to do that when they can smash Comet's doors down for fuck all and do a runner with twenty 50" HD TV's and a load of X-Boxes? It's a no-brainer..."
Renowned economist, Professor Luigi Cilantro, told reporters that the scheme was nothing but a rehashed version of Margaret Thatcher's Youth Opportunities scheme, which led to thousands of young people endlessly smoking cigarettes and pissing about for six months, usually in public places, whilst doing very little, and getting paid in shrapnel. Before being sacked the moment the government subsidies ran out.
"It's a fucking stupid idea," Shuttlecock said. Adding: "Mind you - it's a stupid government too. I can just envision kids from Hackney, Toxteth, Handsworth and Moss Side lining up in droves to take minimum wage jobs."
In Related News: Share values in McDonald's, Burger King, KFC and Ali Bullo's chain of kebab vans rose sharply in the city.
More as we get it.
