Youth Unemployment Highest Ever!

Youth Unemployment Highest Ever

Wiltshire needs a plan for recovery, for the sake of our young and those who have been hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Since the start of the Covid-19 crises youth unemployment has increased by 2.1% or an increase of 66,000 people as opposed to before Covid.

Unemployment is characterised as those seeking work but unable to find it. The number of people claiming unemployment benefit has increased by 120% among 16-24-year-olds.

In contrast to the unemployment figures the number of 16-24-year-olds in employment has dropped by 284,000 leading to an increase of economic inactivity (those not looking for work) up to 2.75 million.

In our county, more younger people are claiming unemployment benefit than at any time during the 2008 recession.

Such a stark reality highlights just how impactful Covid has been on our country and our county. The next council must counteract such a surge in unemployment lest they be complicit in the creation of a lost generation.

That is why the Liberal Democrats have outlined a plan for a green and prosperous recovery for Wiltshire.