Esther McVey: We can turn around issue of youth unemployment

Mar 23 2011 Heswall News

YOUTH unemployment is one of the biggest issues this Coalition Government has been left to tackle.

By Sep 2009 Wirral West had some of the worst unemployment rates for 16-24 year olds in the North West – seventh worst out of 39 local authorities.

I remember the despair of the early 80s, after the recession of the 70s, when youth unemployment figures were bleak too; being one of those youngsters wondering how I would cope.

So when I was asked to speak at the Youth Summit last week (invited because of the work I do on careers and apprenticeships with the Minister for Employment, and for my book on role models for young girls) I accepted, sharing a stage with Tim Loughton, schools minister.

Yes I was happy to speak, but wanted to listen to what teenagers felt would help them.

Many questioned if university was the right path, knowing friends who’d left without a job... instead apprenticeships seemed a better option.

So I was pleased to tell them that the Coalition government had committed to a further 75,000 places, many on the Wirral and backed by the council.

They felt work experience would help too, again I’m working on such a scheme that will benefit Wirral, as well as the New Enterprise Allowance that started last month helping fund people set up in businesses and provide business mentors.

We know it won’t be easy to get out of the situation we find ourselves in, but with practical initiatives and positive incentives from Government, and our own determination, we can turn this state of affairs around.

For information on the New Enterprise Allowance, Work Experience and Job Clubs see: http://www.dwp.gov. uk /policy/welfare-reform /get-britain-working/