Surge in youth unemployment in Bassetlaw

The Intergenerational Foundation charity says younger people will be left to pay the bill for protecting older generations for decades to come after suffering a ‘massive blow’ to their income and job prospects.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) statistics show 1,751 people aged 16-24 in Bassetlaw were on universal credit as of August 13.

This was 701 more than the 1,050 who were claiming the benefit in early March, before the country went into lockdown.

The figures include people in work and on a low income or those not working because of health or caring commitments, alongside those who are unemployed and searching for a job.

Ashley Seager, co-founder of the Intergenerational Foundation, said: “Our youngest workers are now starting to suffer a massive blow to their incomes and job prospects.”

“The Government urgently needs to boost funding for the £2 billion Kickstart scheme, which subsidises work placements for young people facing long-term unemployment.

“After all, it is the younger generation who will have to pay the bill for protecting older generations for decades to come."

Mims Davies MP, minister for employment, said: “We recognise that the pandemic has been difficult for many people who are worried about their incomes and that’s why our £30 billion plan for jobs is aimed at protecting, supporting and creating jobs .”