Council set to praise borough’s young people

CROSS-PARTY support is being called for in a bid to unite the council and improve the future of the town’s young people.

Oldham’s 16 to 18-year-olds have bucked the national trend of an increase in NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training).

The latest figures show that, despite the recession, more local teenagers are finding jobs or courses than they were a year ago.

Councillor Kay Knox, cabinet member for children, young people and families, will propose a motion at tomorrow’s full council meeting that all parties celebrate the achievements of local teenagers in tough economic times.

She will also praise the diverse learning providers, from the University Centre to the teenage mothers’ unit, for their excellent work.

The proportion who stay on in learning is now substantially above the national average.

The only cloud on the horizon is the expected reduction in funding to universities.

The elite Russell Group of top universities is campaigning to be protected, which means that the axe would fall harder elsewhere.

Councillor Lynne Thompson, who will second the motion, said: “The borough has many students with talent and ambition but whose financial circumstances or culture would make it hard to study elsewhere.

“They deserve a fair chance and the borough’s future prosperity needs them.”

The motion asks the Government to recognise the special power of smaller universities like Oldham’s to transform local economies and the lives of the less privileged.