Stop youth becoming lost generation

Unions have expressed disappointment at recent government figures revealing a rise in the number of 16- to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEETs) in 2011.

The UCU university and college union said government policies, such as axing the education maintenance allowance (EMA) at a time of huge youth unemployment, would make things even harder for young people.

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said the decision to scrap initiatives such as the EMA look more ill-advised by the day.

“Education is a key social and economic driver and can help young people develop the necessary skills to find jobs and realise their potential,” she said.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber called on ministers to step in “to prevent the creation of another lost generation and introduce new job schemes for every young person out of work for more than six months”.