Action needed to save ‘lost generation’ of young people

TODAY’S young people face becoming a “lost generation” unless the Government develops a Cobrastyle response to boost skills and job opportunities.

The Local Government Association (LGA) says this should include appointing a new Youth Minister to lead government efforts to tackle youth unemployment.

Youth unemployment has risen significantly since the Covid-19 crisis began. Latest ONS figures show the percentage of young people (aged 16 to 24) unemployed has risen to 13.4 per cent. It has been estimated that a further 600,000 16 to 24-year olds could find themselves unemployed by the end of this year.

In a report, the LGA, which represents councils across England, said the Covid-19 crisis has turned “a bad situation into a dire one” for young people. It sets out the immediate government action needed in the Spending Review to tackle the disproportionate effect of the pandemic on young people.

Councils and combined authorities are already working closely with employers, colleges and many others involved in education and job training to try and ensure nobody is left behind after we get through this crisis. However, they are hamstrung by a national employment and skills system that is increasingly centralised and ineffective.

The Government needs to use the Spending Review to devolve careers advice, post-16 and skills budgets and powers to local areas. This would allow councils, schools, colleges and employers to work together to improve provision for young people so that they can get on in life. They are ideally placed to bring employment and skills initiatives together.

The LGA is also calling for the

Government to work in partnership with councils and combined authorities to plan, co-ordinate and deliver the Kickstart Scheme and grant apprenticeship flexibilities to increase the number of young people who can benefit from schemes.

Cllr Kevin Bentley, Chair of the LGA’S People and Places Board, said: “Councils want to ensure every young person realises their full potential. Without action to address our fragmented national employment support system, we risk creating a lost generation of young people.

“It is vital that young people have the opportunities to increase their skills and retrain and no one is left behind. This means providing the right careers advice and guidance, and holistic support needed for every young person.”

Nick Sutton,