THE goal of full employment is more important than ever, according to Gravesham MP Chris Pond. Mr Pond spoke after a meeting to discuss employment issues with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

He called for the pre-budget report to go further in helping people get into jobs. He stressed: "We must take the opportunity of the forthcoming pre-budget report to build on our achievements and do more to help people into work, particularly those hardest to help," he said.

In Gravesham more than 2,000 young and long term unemployed people have joined the New Deal to help them find work. "We must ensure that further help is provided for assisting the long term unemployed back into work, and us to achieve full employment by the end of the decade," added Mr Pond.