YORK’S Conservative MP has called on the Government to honour its pledge to help the north and press on with its plans to create jobs in the private sector.

Julian Sturdy said tax changes announced in the Budget would help small businesses to expand and grow, particularly in areas such as Yorkshire which did not benefit as much as London and the south-east in the boom years. And he warned the recovery was not secure.

“It is essential that the Government continue to address unemployment and job creation with the same vigour and determination as they have shown to date,” he said. “I strongly believe that the initial measures taken by the coalition are setting us on the right course. Those policies need to be implemented swiftly and reviewed regularly if we are to have progress on the ground.” He was speaking during a debate on unemployment.