number of young people unemployed for longer than six months rises 131% in Ashfield

Number of young people unemployed for more than six months rises 131% in Ashfield

Ashfield's MP, Gloria De Piero, is calling on the government to take urgent action following the release of figures which show the number of young people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for over six months in Ashfield has increased by 131% in the last six months.

The figures, which have been released by the House of Commons library, show that in Ashfield the number of young people aged between 18-24 who have been claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for six months and over has increased from 130 in July 2011 to 300 people in September 2011, an increase of 170.

Speaking about the increase Gloria said: "These are really worrying figures for Ashfield. Any young person out of work is worrying, but when we are seeing the number of young people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for six months and over increasing by 131% since January, then urgent action clearly needs to be taken.

"If we are to get the economy moving again then we must ensure that we are doing all we can to give young people the opportunities that they deserve - this includes making sure they receive training and support to get into work."

Liam Byrne MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary added:

"Youth unemployment is now reaching crisis levels, and young people are staying unemployed for longer and longer.

"Labour plans would get 100,000 young people back into work up and down the country - paid for with a sensible and fair tax on bankers’ bonuses.

"Sadly David Cameron and George Osborne don’t seem to understand that more people on the dole – claiming benefits rather than paying taxes – will just make it harder to get the deficit down."