“Long-term youth unemployment is a national disgrace that can leave a life-time scar.” The words of one of the UK’s most influential businessman, director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) John Cridland.
He said parents, teachers and businesses must take responsibility for tackling the problem.
Figures from the ONS show there are 188,000 18 to 24-year-olds who’ve been unemployed for more than 12 months. While that figure is down 10% in four years it is still lagging behind the fall in long-term unemployment across all other ages – down nearly 25% over the same period.
Not enough jobs
Matty Finnigan, 23, from Lowestoft has been unemployed for around three years.
He’s had money worries, suffered from anxiety and lost confidence because of it.
But he has managed to turn himself around in the last few months after going to charity Tomorrow’s People for help.
“There [aren’t] enough jobs to go around,” he says.
“Everybody is fighting for the same job and if you haven’t got qualifications or even experience you’re always going to be looked over.
“So some people do find it harder to get a job than other people.
“It’s definitely depressing, it takes a toll on your self-esteem, confidence and motivation but you have to get to a point where you have to push forward… to better yourself.” Read more
