Friday, November 04, 2011

Letting down a new generation

I was surprised (or not) to see so many red dots in the north of the country.
Blackspots for youth disengagement where high levels of youngsters are not in education, work or training (Neet) have been revealed in a new report. In Grimsby, Doncaster, Warrington and Wigan, nearly a quarter of 16- to 24-year-olds are Neet. In a further nine cities in England and Wales, drop-out rates for youngsters are about one in five.

The Work Foundation report blames a tough jobs market and cuts to youth services and education.

Its report for the Private Equity Foundation said: "In a difficult labour market, young people often find it harder to gain a foothold in work - and there is a real danger that youth unemployment could soon reach one million.