Oldham MP: young people are 'bearing the brunt’ of unemployment crisis

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams

Data just released by the House of Commons Library shows that, across the Oldham East and Saddleworth constituency, there were 6,435 people claiming unemployment support in April, 2021.

That is 3,335 more people than in March 2020, before the first lockdown.

This amounts to 9.8% of the Oldham East and Saddleworth population aged 16-64, compared to the equivalent UK claimant rate, which was 6.3%.

Young people remain disproportionately affected, with 1,390 claimants aged 18-24 in April 2021, nearly double the 720 claimants in March 2020.

This was 16.1% of the population aged between 18-24, as compared to the equivalent UK claimant rate of 8.8%.

Responding to the data, Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams said: "While it is encouraging to see businesses reopen with the easing of restrictions, long term unemployment is rising at its fastest rate in over a decade. 

“Young people are bearing the brunt of the crisis with over half of the fall in employees being under 25, yet the Government’s Kickstart scheme has provided opportunities for just 1 in 25 young people.

"If our economy, both here in Oldham, Saddleworth and nationally, is to emerge stronger from this pandemic, we cannot allow a generation to be scarred by unemployment. 

“Labour's jobs promise would provide a job or training opportunity for any young person away from work or education for six months and ensure no one is away from work for more than a year."

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