David Cameron and Ed Miliband clashed over the economy at Prime Minister’s Questions today, following this morning’s horrendous unemployment stats.

David Cameron and Ed Miliband clashed over the economy at Prime Minister’s Questions today, following this morning’s horrendous unemployment stats.

Ending his sequence of questions, (following the obligatory dash of sexual innuendo, this time at George Osborne’s expense), Miliband said:

“Youth unemployment is at its highest level for 19 years, women’s unemployment is at its highest level for 23 years, the highest level since the last time there was a Tory government.

“It turns out he’s just like all the others – for him, unemployment is a price worth paying.”

To which the prime minister concluded his answer:

“…the truth is, Mr Speaker, it was the last government that robbed young people of their future by piling up the debt; it is this government that’s gonna deal with our debts and give them back their future.”

Watch it:

So what exactly does the PM mean by “giving them back their future”?

Tuition fees trebled to £9,000, the abolition of Education Maintenance Allowance, £200 million cuts to careers services, record youth unemployment, Tory councils charging poor kids to access playgrounds, cuts to Sure Start, cuts to free school meals… None of these will have made any difference to a young David Cameron, but make the world of difference to the lives, opportunities and futures of those affected.

He says he’s giving the young back their future – what future?

As you’re here, we have something to ask you. What we do here to deliver real news is more important than ever. But there’s a problem: we need readers like you to chip in to help us survive. We deliver progressive, independent media, that challenges the right’s hateful rhetoric. Together we can find the stories that get lost.

We’re not bankrolled by billionaire donors, but rely on readers chipping in whatever they can afford to protect our independence. What we do isn’t free, and we run on a shoestring. Can you help by chipping in as little as £1 a week to help us survive? Whatever you can donate, we’re so grateful - and we will ensure your money goes as far as possible to deliver hard-hitting news.