Though the most recent ONS figures (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/lmsuk0511.pdf) show a slight fall in levels of unemployment, 20% of 16-24 year olds are still recorded as being out of work. If the count is restricted to those ‘not in full-time education or training’ – a more accurate measurement, 18.3% of 16-24 year olds and 17.3% of those 18-24 remain jobless. These figures compare with a general unemployment rate of 7.7%. (2.46 million)
These figures are not much lower than when the economy was at the height of recession. We cannot expect that the current rate of economic growth – equivalent to 2% per annum – will seriously dent the extent of youth joblessness. As the budget cuts kick in and consumer spending continues to remain in the doldrums we cannot expect growth at all.
Education, Economy and Society 