Let’s not repeat the lost decade

THE years between David Cameron winning power in 2010 and Boris Johnson entering Downing Street were a lost decade for young people.

Youth unemployment was never cured and people in work invariably held down precarious roles.

Many in their 20s were unable to buy their own homes and face a future much less secure financially than their parents.

The Tory ideology is based on “trickle down” economics but the wealth never seemed to find its way to young workers.

New research shows that urgent action is required if 10 lost years are not to become 20.

Experts fear that Covid-19 will result in mass unemployment, with young people most affected.

According to the Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland, about 50,000 individuals will be leaving education this year to go straight into a volatile jobs market.

Coupled with existing youth unemployment, as well as tens of thousands of furloughed jobs, we could be witnessing the dreams of an entire generation being dashed.

The IPPR idea of a jobs guarantee fund, which would disproportionately benefit young people, is a good one.

It would provide opportunities for learning and working, placements and mentoring.

The Scottish and UK Governments have largely put aside their differences in order to tackle the pandemic.

They should also knock heads together to ensure the problem of youth unemployment does not become a catastrophe.