Jobless young people in catch 22 situation

As a parent, I think the report by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills shows a worrying and bleak future for our children unless urgent action is taken.
Job Centre Plus. Photo: Rui Vieira/PA WireJob Centre Plus. Photo: Rui Vieira/PA Wire
Job Centre Plus. Photo: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

Today’s young people face a Catch 22 situation, they can’t get the experience to get a job and they can’t get a job without experience.

That is an issue of particular significance given that those aged 16-24 only make up 13% of the population but account for 40% of the 1.9 million unemployed people in the UK.

So what do the Conservatives do?

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They promise, if elected on May 7th, they will stop their benefits if they don’t get a job.

I am all for reducing the welfare budget, but to penalise our young people with their ineffectual education policy is just wrong.

UKIP believes work experience must become a fundamental part of a young person’s education if we are to combat the levels of youth unemployment in the UK.

We will conduct a skills review to better inform our education system and qualifications. UKIP will introduce an option for students to take an apprenticeship qualification instead of four non-core GCSEs which can be continued at A’ level. Students will be able to take up apprenticeships in jobs with certified professionals qualified to grade the progress of the student, and UKIP will reintroduce vocational colleges and grammar schools.

Shirley Parkinson

UKIP Parliamentary Candidate for Ribble Valley