By Vivienne Russell | 15 October 2012
Long-term youth unemployment in England has increased by almost a quarter since the coalition government took power in 2010, the Trades Union Congress said today.
TUC research shows that the Northwest is the worst hit region, with a 53% increase in the number of 16-24-year-olds out of work for six months or more. This is followed by the East of England (a 40% increase) and Yorkshire and the Humber (29%). London is the only English region to experience a drop, seeing a 10% fall in the proportion of jobless youngsters. For England as a whole, youth unemployment is up by 23%.
The TUC called attention to a £98m cut in government support for jobless young people, arguing that this was fuelling the problem.
The Northwest, where youth unemployment has risen the most, has also witnessed the largest drop in state support, with almost £16m cut from budgets, the TUC said.
The organisation added that the loss of the Education Maintenance Allowance, higher tuition fees and the proposals to scrap Housing Benefit for the under-25s were all conspiring to make it harder for young people to find long-term work.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: ‘With such sharp cuts in support for young unemployed people, it’s no surprise that the government is failing to get to grips with this urgent problem. It is deeply concerning that many of the areas hit hardest by unemployment are seeing such a steep drop in financial support for jobless youngsters.
‘Long-term youth unemployment is a ticking time bomb under the nation’s finances, with severe consequences not just for young people but also for their communities and the country’s wider economic prospects. This crisis simply cannot be tackled on the cheap.’
The TUC’s findings are published ahead of the latest monthly unemployment figures, which are due out on Wednesday.
Long-term youth unemployment in England has increased by almost a quarter since the coalition government took power in 2010, the Trades Union Congress said today.
TUC research shows that the Northwest is the worst hit region, with a 53% increase in the number of 16-24-year-olds out of work for six months or more. This is followed by the East of England (a 40% increase) and Yorkshire and the Humber (29%). London is the only English region to experience a drop, seeing a 10% fall in the proportion of jobless youngsters. For England as a whole, youth unemployment is up by 23%.
The TUC called attention to a £98m cut in government support for jobless young people, arguing that this was fuelling the problem.
The Northwest, where youth unemployment has risen the most, has also witnessed the largest drop in state support, with almost £16m cut from budgets, the TUC said.
The organisation added that the loss of the Education Maintenance Allowance, higher tuition fees and the proposals to scrap Housing Benefit for the under-25s were all conspiring to make it harder for young people to find long-term work.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: ‘With such sharp cuts in support for young unemployed people, it’s no surprise that the government is failing to get to grips with this urgent problem. It is deeply concerning that many of the areas hit hardest by unemployment are seeing such a steep drop in financial support for jobless youngsters.
‘Long-term youth unemployment is a ticking time bomb under the nation’s finances, with severe consequences not just for young people but also for their communities and the country’s wider economic prospects. This crisis simply cannot be tackled on the cheap.’
The TUC’s findings are published ahead of the latest monthly unemployment figures, which are due out on Wednesday.
