• We’ve got the lowest interest rates for 36 years - in the Tory years interest rates averaged 10.4%. Since 1997 the mortgage rate has also benefited many residents. In the Tory years mortgage rates averaged 11.5% - as a result many Harlow families suffered negative equity and repossession of their home.

• This economic stability has enabled us to commit to a huge programme of investment in public services, especially the NHS and education. Spending on public services will grow by £61bn over the next 3 years.  The biggest sustained rise in public spending for 30 years.

• We now have the highest employment levels since the 1970s with the number of people in work at a record level. The number of people in work has increased by 1.5 million in the last seven years. Here in Harlow, unemployment has declined significantly.

• Through the New Deal programme to help 18-24 year olds into work started in April 1998, long-term youth unemployment has been virtually eradicated with 390,000 young people having moved into work.  928 young people in Harlow have started work on the programme. 410 of them have already moved into full-time employment.

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