NUS and UCU unleash criticism as number of outof- work 16-24 year olds skyrockets.

UNEMPLOYMENT LEVELS among young people are at a record high, according to figures released by the Office of National Statistics.

The Office of National Statistics released current unemployment numbers for 16 to 24 year olds at 1.02 million, a record high.

A National Union of Students (NUS) spokesperson referred to the figures as “shocking”, and stated that the ministers responsible for ending the education maintenance allowance (EMA) have attacked the life chances of young people.

NUS President Robin Parker called the change “disturbing”, commenting on the problems that could potentially be caused by it.

“If we are to avoid condemning a generation to the dole queue, we must give school leavers and other young people the opportunities they need to find work, receive training or get an education.

He mentioned the importance of the Scottish Government’s role in protecting higher education, saying, “If young people are going to have education opportunities, colleges need to be sustainably funded so they can deliver the Government’s places guarantee.”

Responding to this criticism, General Secretary of the University and College Union (UCU) Sally Hunt said, “Youth unemployment hits one million at a time when young people’s access to education is being restricted. It’s a very serious problem and we take it very seriously.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable stated that the issue was being taken “very seriously”.

He elaborated further, saying that “In order to help young people we need to be bringing in policies that encourage them to get on, not erecting financial barriers to education.

“Aside from the financial cost of consigning hundreds of thousands of people to the dole queue, we risk producing a generation with few prospects and little chance to alter their situation.”

Parker demanded that something be done to correct the situation and prevent anything further arising from it.

“Last year’s cuts to college budgets have already had a big impact and now the Scottish Government are proposing further huge cuts to budgets over the coming years. After proposing these cuts, the Scottish Government must now ensure that colleges have the funding to maintain places for young people in Scotland. Scotland’s economy depends on it, and so does Scotland’s future.”

NUS Vice President Toni Pearce developed on Parker’s point, saying “It’s clear that there is a crisis in youth unemployment and that the Government needs to take concrete action immediately.”

Pearce recommended a number of changes including creating more apprenticeships, bringing back the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and supporting teenage parents through Care-to-Learn help.

Parker warned, “It is not enough to simply tell young people to wait until things improve as they watch their futures slip away.”