CONCERNS have been raised about the futures of young people across Evesham and Pershore after the latest employment figures.
According to Worcestershire County Council, the number of 18 to 24-year-olds claiming unemployment benefit in Wychavon, which covers the two towns, is at 430. Although down by five from last month, it is up 55 from this time last year.
And, although the number of unemployment benefit claimants across Worcestershire has dropped 85 in the last month to 11,165, the number of 18 to 24-year-olds rose by 10.
The number of unemployment benefit claimants overall across Worcestershire has dropped by one per cent in the last year, but the number of claimants aged between 18 and 24 has increased by 255, a rise of 12 per cent.
The figures have prompted West Worcestershire MP Dame Harriett Baldwin, who represents Pershore, to warn young people in her constituency face being ‘dumped on the benefits scrap heap’.
Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show unemployment benefits claimants in West Worcestershire increased by 60 in the last year to 1,410, with the rise steepest among 18 to 24-year-olds.
‘Lack of first jobs for towns’ young people’
Dame Harriett said many local employers had told her they were putting growth plans on hold, laying off staff or shutting altogether because wage and tax rises threatened to make their businesses unviable.
“What particularly worries me is the number of young people who now won’t get those fantastic early job opportunities in the local pub, cafe or shop.”
She said every young person on benefits ‘was a tragedy’ and urged the Government to act to encourage growth and enable businesses to take on young workers.
Evesham MP Nigel Huddleston added he was ‘extremely concerned about the rise in youth unemployment’.
“I have been warning for months that Labour’s anti-business policies would particularly damage sectors such as hospitality, tourism and retail, which employ large numbers of younger workers and often provide that vital first step into employment.”
He added business owners in his area had told him rising costs, higher National Insurance and increased business rates had made it harder to recruit and invest.
He claimed youth unemployment was even higher now than it was during the pandemic.
“If you make it more expensive for businesses to employ people, fewer people will be employed.”
Government’s plan to boost young people’s chances
Statistics released last week showed the number of young people in the UK classed as NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training) is approaching 1million.
Last week, the Government announced it would be creating 300,000 new work experience and training placements in sectors, such as construction, health and social care and hospitality, to help young people get on the careers ladder.
The proposals are part of a £2.5billion youth employment support package which will see young people gain hands-on experience, build real skills and move into sustained work.
The Government said it had accelerated its Youth Guarantee to give every young person the chance to earn or learn and reverse the rising numbers of NEETs.
