500 jobless under 25s are thrown a lifeline

MORE than 500 jobless youths in Oldham have been promised work or training under a Government drive to protect a generation of young people from the “scarring effects” of long-term unemployment.

The guaranteed offer of a job, training or work experience position is now available to anyone under the age of 25 who has been out of work for six months.

The scheme, called the Young Person’s Guarantee, is being part-funded by Chancellor Alistair Darling’s move to impose a 50 per cent tax on bankers’ bonuses this year.

Latest figures show up to 100,000 unemployed 16-24-year-olds in Britain, including 565 across Oldham, will be eligible to benefit from the guarantee straight away through their Jobcentres.

Ministers said young people were already being helped by an increase in education and training places this year and an expansion of specialist support through Jobcentres. However, they believe more help is needed as the economy recovers to avoid the problem of youth unemployment continuing to rise for years after the recession has ended.

Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The extra investment has already been critical to keeping unemployment 450,000 lower than expected.

“But despite the latest welcome fall in unemployment, now is the time to increase help not cut it back. We need to make sure young people do not suffer the scarring effects of long term unemployment.

“Extra help is already available to young people and many thousands more are in work, education or training as a result. But we want to guarantee every young person the right support.

“That’s why this guarantee is starting now.”