Coalition has created ‘a lost generation of young people’
16 November 2011
The coalition was accused of condemning ‘a lost generation of
young people’ to the dole queue by Unite, the largest union in the
country, today (Wednesday 16 November).
As today’s unemployment figures soared to a 17-year high Unite
called on ministers to create ‘a land bridge of opportunity’ for
young people between leaving university and college, and entering
the world of work.
The unemployment rate for young people, aged 16-24, broke
through the one million barrier in September. The total jobless
figure was 2.62 million.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: ”The government has
created a lost generation of young people unable to gain a foothold
on the employment ladder.
”Ministers need to create a land bridge of opportunity for young
people – our youth unemployment rate is twice that of Germany.
”It is not only a personal tragedy for the young people
concerned, but it is also a waste of talent and potential, so
necessary for economic growth, and is sowing the seeds for a whole
raft of future social problems.
”The government needs to adopt a twin-track policy – having more
targeted measures to help young people into work, while at the same
time, reversing the hardline austerity measures that have sucked
the life out of the British economy.
”One way forward would be to ensure that a greater percentage of
apprenticeships should go to those aged under the age of 25.”
Unite has been at the forefront of the campaign to save the
country’s youth services from swingeing cuts.,The union sees youth
services as a vital link in assisting young people into
employment.
Len McCluskey said: ”The rise in unemployment across the age
range is an appalling indictment of the lack of economic
imagination shown by this blinkered right-wing government.
”But it is not just young people facing unemployment pain.
Women, who are doing skilled manual and admin/clerical jobs - many
of them in the financially squeezed public sector - have either
lost their jobs or face redundancy. Women also have the added
burden of juggling the family finances, as inflation continues
unabated.
”Manufacturing is struggling; consumer spending has been
strangled; and economic confidence - whether it is investment
decisions by business or job security for individuals - is at very
low ebb.”
Unite has repeatedly called for the introduction of a Plan B
aimed at boosting manufacturing; putting ‘demand’ back into the
economy i.e. cutting the 20 per cent VAT rate; and maintaining the
current level of public services.
ENDS
Notes to news editors:
For further information please contact Unite communications
officer, Shaun Noble, on 07768 693940
