Euro cash hopes for youth employment

Training boost predicted to continue, despite Brexit

Council chiefs are confident of receiving European Union cash for youth employment projects until 2022 – despite the uncertainty of Brexit.

The local authority has been given EU funding for a number of years to match fund its own budget of £4.5 million for Invest in Renfrewshire, a programme tackling local unemployment.

However, with the UK’s formal exit from the EU looming, questions had been raised over whether Scottish councils can still access European grants for certain projects.

But Renfrewshire Council is hopeful of still getting the support it needs to help around 1,500 people into work every year.

A council spokeswoman said: “The employability services delivered as part of the council’s Invest in Renfrewshire programme support around 1,500 people each year.

“Since 2012, the council has provided wage subsidy and support to trainee and internship positions, creating around 1,800 new and additional posts in the area, taking Renfrewshire’s ranking from 27th in Scotland to third for youth employment.

“The current European funding to support this area is available until 2022.

“Earlier this year, Renfrewshire Council also committed £4.5 million over the next five years to the Invest in Renfrewshire programme to help people most in need into work and improve opportunities for future generations.”

The local authority currently receives support from the European Social Fund ( ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund.

The draft Withdrawal Agreement, published in March 2018, would mean the UK would still be able to access the ESF after Brexit.

However, in the event of a “no deal” scenario, UK organisations may be unable to access the ESF for projects after exit day.

In this situation, the UK Government has said it will guarantee certain EU projects agreed before Brexit, including ESF projects.

Renfrewshire’s employability programmes had been rated the best performing in Scotland, in a recent national report.

Since 2012, the council’s support has created 1,800 posts in the area, taking Renfrewshire’s ranking from 27th in Scotland to third for youth employment