he number of 18-24 year olds on the dole for over six months has increased in 142 local authorities across the UK since last year, compared to just 78 where it has fallen, according to a TUC analysis published ahead of the latest unemployment statistics today (Wednesday).
The number of long-term young unemployed people has almost doubled in ten local authorities across the UK, with Darlington (up 83%) and Hartlepool (up 62%) experiencing the sharpest increases in our region. The young workers of Tees Valley as a whole have suffered the most across the North East, as Stockton and Middlesbrough have also seen increases in their long-term unemployment figures.
The TUC says that with the young people’s unemployment rate already over 17 per cent (more than twice the national unemployment rate) and research showing that each graduate vacancy now receives an average of 69 applications, young people today are facing the toughest jobs climate in a generation. This combined with the abolition of the Future Jobs Fund and cuts being made to many Connexions services will only compound the disproportionate effect on the young.
Without further support and investment to help people into work, we risk losing a generation of talented young people to unemployment and damaged careers, warns the TUC.
Northern TUC Regional Secretary Kevin Rowan said: ‘The Future Jobs Fund provided real jobs with real wages and was designed to limit large-scale youth unemployment. The Coalition Government was wrong to slash this progressive initiative in May. These figures show that it is now vital that more efforts are made to provide meaningful support for those experiencing long-term unemployment. Young people are innocent parties in the financial crisis and should not be made to pay with their futures.’
MP for Darlington, Jenny Chapman said: ‘These figures show just how fragile the economic recovery in the North East really is. Young people need opportunities to develop their skills, build their confidence and develop the habits that will help keep them in jobs throughout their lives. That is why I’m fighting hard to bring train building back to our region. These are quality jobs that will transform the prospects of young people in Darlington.’