January 28th, 2011

YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT RISE

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has challenged the Scottish Government to tackle youth unemployment after it emerged that more than a quarter of people unemployed are aged between 18-24.

Mr McNeil believes the Scottish Government must makes jobs a priority as he pulls together his budget for the coming year.

The MSP points to the successful Future Jobs Fund and the creation of more apprenticeship places as ways of tackling youth unemployment.

According to the latest figures released by the GMB trade union, there are 530 18-24 year olds unemployed, which is nearly 27 per cent of the total unemployment claimant count.

Mr McNeil said: “During the Thatcher years, a generation of young people were thrown on the scrapheap and we cannot allow this SNP Government to make the same mistake.

“Inverclyde needs a budget for jobs and John Swinney needs to make tackling youth unemployment as a priority.

“We had Scotland’s best performing Future Jobs Fund in Inverclyde before the Tory Government withdrew funding and the Scottish Government needs to match Labour’s pledge to re-instate it.

“And every young person who wants should be guaranteed an apprenticeship – we have a responsibility to create opportunities for young people in these difficult times.”