Jobseeking young ‘in worst time since 1994’

The union organisation voiced concern about rising levels of long term unemployment, accusing the Government of cutting financial support for students.

In a report published ahead of new unemployment figures, the TUC said the proportion of young people in full-time education has almost doubled from 24 per cent in 1992 to 41 per cent this year.

More than one in five people aged between 16 and 24 were out of work, significantly higher than in 1992, when the rate was 16 per cent, said the report.

Prospects for young people deteriorated sharply when the recession started in 2008 and have been at “crisis levels” ever since, the TUC said.

Almost half a million young people have been out of work for at least six months, leaving them under-achieving before their careers have even started, said the TUC.

General secretary Brendan Barber said: “Students looking to start their careers or continue in their education next month are facing the toughest climate for nearly 20 years.

“It’s particularly worrying that long-term joblessness for young people is still rising, even as overall unemployment falls. If this continues we could lose a generation of talented and highly qualified youngsters to blighted careers, debt and under-achievement.

“Ministers should be doing everything they can to help young people but so far all they’ve done is cut vital financial support for college students and price people out of university.

“Jobs support has been scrapped, scaled back and then reinstated on the cheap. This is no sensible way to help young people into work or education.

“The Government’s economic strategy is holding young people back. It’s time for a new plan that invests in their futures, rather than stunting careers before they’ve barely begun.”