Ippr warns of "detrimental" youth unemployment

24/04/2009

Current government plans to tackle youth unemployment have been welcomed by the Institute of Public Policy Research (ippr).

According to the group, the effects of young people going out of work are "detrimental" to their lives.

Unveiled in the Budget earlier this week, the state's plans include a £1.7 billion package to strengthen the Jobcentre Plus network.

Meanwhile, 18 to 24-year-olds who are out of work for a year have been guaranteed a job, training or work placement by the government.

This follows months of rising unemployment, caused by the recession - with firms looking to cut costs by laying off staff in the downturn.

Tony Dolphin, senior economist at the ippr, said: "There is evidence that long periods of unemployment are particularly detrimental to young people.

"These measures are welcome, and they can be effective … There is an economic case and probably a moral case for focusing efforts on the young unemployed because of the long lasting effects of unemployment, and also because we know that in previous recessions youth unemployment has risen faster than general unemployment."

Official unemployment figures out earlier this week showed that the jobless total in the UK stood at 2.1 million at the end of February.

This is the highest for 12 years.

Tags; Job loss, Credit Card Lifestyle, Recent Graduate Debt,

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