£60m for drive to help young jobless

As nearly 700,000 14- to 18-year-olds are currently not in employment or full-time education, it is hoped the cash will help boost apprenticeships and reform vocational education.

The announcement comes as 100 large companies and tens of thousands of small companies across the country have responded to the Government’s call and pledged to offer work experience places. In total the coalition will provide funding for up to 250,000 more apprenticeships over the next four years, and funding for 100,000 work placements over the next two years.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “This is about more than getting our economy back on track. It’s about more than improving the jobless numbers. It’s about changing people’s lives. Showing our young people we believe in them and backing that faith with action.

“It’s time to reverse the trend of rising youth unemployment that has held back our country for far too long and help our young people get the jobs on which their future – and ours – depends.”

The £60m will be spent over the three years and fund more early access Work Programme places, increase the capacity of Jobcentre Plus to support teenagers who are not in education, employment or training and pay for a new £10m per year Innovation Fund to help disadvantaged people.

Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said: “This package of measures will address the scandal of the highest level of youth unemployment the UK has seen in modern times. The key to tackling this is to give young people experience in work through placements, apprenticeships and guaranteed training. Alongside it will be the Work Programme where young people who are unemployed will be given the intensive support and help they need.”