British Youth Boosted by Young Persons Guarantee
The Young Persons Guarantee announced by the government is set to provide around 470,000 opportunities for jobs, training or work experience for young people who have been unemployed for six months or more.
According to the Department of Work and Pensions up to 100,000 unemployed young people, between the age of 16 and 25, will be eligible to benefit from the scheme immediately.
Ministers are actively encouraging businesses in the UK to continue backing young Britain through the creation of more opportunities as the country emerges from recession, with government support to be awarded to those companies that can offer work or training.
Yvette Cooper, secretary of state for work and pensions, said: "The extra investment has already been critical to keeping unemployment 450,000 lower than expected. But despite the latest welcome fall in unemployment, now is the time to increase help not cut it back. We need to make sure young people do not suffer the scarring effects of long-term unemployment.”
Paul Davis, Managing Director at Perspective, commented: “It has been a reassuring sign for the UK’s economy that unemployment numbers have begun to fall, and with the recent announcement that the economy grew at the end of 2009, we must ensure that this growth continues through the continued training of future generations.”
