You may have heard of the planned 150 job losses at Lloyds Group in the city - unions say far more.

It shows how vulnerable our local economy is to the on-going economic crisis.

We also face the bleak prospect of job losses in front line local public services such as education and social services. 

A result of the utterly misguided Cameron-Clegg budget, with its savage and unnecessary public spending cuts.

Cuts on this scale could plunge us back into recession

Workers, private or publicly employed, taxpayers, businesses as well as those most vulnerable, who depend on public services, are all paying the price for this financial mismanagement.

Conservative Brighton and Hove City Council Leader Mary Mears has gone as far as saying public sector cuts on this scale were necessary.

I don't believe these cuts are necessary and neither do respected economists.

Longer dole queues and banking and public service lay-offs are not the way forward.

In parliament, I shall continue to make the case that, as the English economist JM Keynes demonstrated so successfuly in the last century, government investment is the way to get people back to work and to cut the deficit.

I'll be seeking meetings with local unions from the banking and public service sectors to support them in putting the case to employers that this city really is worth a long term investment and hopefully save some jobs.

Council poll today - back Lizzie Deane

Today, Thursday, is a city council election in the St Peters & North Laine ward in central Brighton.

The ward also includes some of the Seven Dials area, West Hill, Roundhill, Viaduct-Rise and the New England Quarter.

If you're a resident, please come out and support Lizzie. 

She's an exceptional and hard working candidate.

An experienced community activist who understands the challenges of city-living.

Best of luck, Lizzie!

Get more information on Lizzie's campaign here.