Statement on today’s Youth Unemployment figures  

Today the ONS announced that youth unemployment has risen by 0.3% to 22.2%. David Miliband statement: “Today’s rise in youth unemployment strengthens the case for action on this tragic issue. We now know that the cost of current levels of youth unemployment is going to be close to £30 billion over the next decade. I again call on the government to double its proposed number of wage subsidies for employers taking on young people this year, offer a part time job guarantee to prevent long term unemployment becoming lifetime under-employment, and open up access to apprenticeships of higher quality and consistency. After the report of the ACEVO commission on youth unemployment there are now practical ideas ready and waiting to be implemented. The government must act now.”   ...