NUS demands urgent action as unemployment passes the million mark

The National Union of Students (NUS) has demanded urgent Government action to stem the rise in youth unemployment of those aged 16 to 24 as figures reached the 1 million mark for the first time.

Figures show that almost one in five 16 to 24 year olds (1,163,000) are not in education, employment or training – an increase of 137,000 over the past year.

The social and financial costs of such a large number of young people being unemployed hold a huge threat on the UK’s economy in both the short and long-term, with an estimated annual cost to the economy to be somewhere between £22bn and £77bn.

NUS have suggested solutions, such as an increase in apprenticeships, the restoration of EMA and ensuring properly paid internships for youths, could be put in place quickly whilst still being simple and cost-effective.

NUS Vice-President, Toni Pearce, said; “Evidence shows that when young people fall into unemployment that it holds them back for the rest of their lives.”

The government have responded to these figures by introducing a £1bn scheme that will take place over the next three years.

It is said to provide opportunities including job subsidies, work experience placements and apprenticeships for 500,000 unemployed youths.  And any young person taken on in any of the schemes will have to complete it or be refused benefits.

A further £50m will be used to target 16 and 17 year olds who are in a similar situation and will focus on the 25,000 most disengaged young people.