Crisis as youth unemployment soars

Youth unemployment in Barnsley is at 'crisis levels' according to Barnsley East MP Michael Dugher.

Mr Dugher says latest figures show 18 to 24 year olds make up 36 per cent of the job seekers' allowance claimants, despite them representing only 14 per cent of the population.

The figures show 2,575 18 to 24-year-olds are unemployed - an 11 per cent increase since last year. Unemployment overall in Barnsley LA is 7,140, an eight per cent increase over the last 12 months.

Mr Dugher said: "The government has been warned about the rising problem of unemployment for over a year now, but it is just not doing enough and youth unemployment is now at crisis levels.

"Unemployment is soaring and more young people are out of work than ever before. Getting people – particularly our young people – into work is the surest way of getting the deficit down and putting us on the right course for the future.

"The government must change direction now and implement a new plan for jobs and growth."