The number of unemployed young people aged 18-24 claiming jobseekers allowance has increased by 206% in the last year.

Lyn Brown MP said:

 “Young people in West Ham are crying out for action on jobs. The number of young people out of work for a year in West Ham is up 206% in the last year, and across the country it has quadrupled, yet still complacent ministers are refusing to implement a plan for jobs and growth.

“Here in West Ham, 260 young people would be helped into work if this Government brought in Labour’s Real Jobs Guarantee.

 “I will continue to campaign for jobs and growth in West Ham, because this Tory-led Government is letting down a generation of young people. I strongly urge the Government to change course and take action.”
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liam Byrne said:

“The headline fall in unemployment is a welcome respite in a blizzard of bad economic news. But the number of young people on the dole long term has now quadrupled in a year and long term unemployment rose sharply again. And the number claiming welfare payments went up yet again.
 

”George Osborne’s failed policies have delivered a double-dip recession and a £150bn of extra borrowing, and that is holding Britain back. We urgently need a plan for jobs and growth to get the economy moving again and Ministers should start by bringing in Labour’s Real Jobs Guarantee to get our young people back to work.“