Action is needed to instil the work ethic in young British workers who are unwilling to do jobs which they see as “menial”, London mayor Boris Johnson has said.
Mr Johnson backed comments from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who complained that British youths would not work as hard or as long as the Eastern European migrants who staff some of his restaurants.
Speaking to the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, the mayor said the Government needed to tackle the problems of welfare dependency, educational under-achievement and low self-esteem which hold some young Britons back from fulfilling their “vast and latent” potential.
Mr Johnson acknowledged that he might get into trouble by telling the Tory conference that Oliver “had a point” when he suggested that British youths were “wet behind the ears” compared to their eastern European counterparts and were unwilling to put in the long hours needed to make a success of jobs in his restaurants.
Detailing the chef’s complaints, Mr Johnson told Tory activists: “Now I can see looks of apoplexy here … and I can see looks of sad acknowledgement as well and I can see a vague depressed look of recognition.
“I know and you know that there are millions of British kids and young people who are as dynamic and go-getting as any millionaire masterchef.
“But my question to you is what if Jamie has a point? What if he has half a point or even a quarter of a point? Do you think he does? He is on to something he may have phrased it in a provocative way but he was saying something that I think resonates, right?”