Latest news: NUS comments on unemployment

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recently revealed that unemployment levels for youngsters aged 16-24 were at an all time high. 14/10/2011

The NUS has responded to these figures through NUS president Liam Burns.

‘The Government is slamming the door in the face of an entire generation. Those who are not in education or training are now left with ever fewer alternatives to the dole queue and all the wasted potential that entails,’ he said.

991,000 young people are without work with the NUS calling for the government to change its priorities which currently narrow opportunity for young people.

‘While the Government has done well to recognise the crucial role of apprentices in youth employment the scrapping of the EMA, huge cuts to education funding and the closure of advice services for young people have poured fuel on the fire of youth unemployment and have pushed it to record levels.’

‘Ministers must immediately reinstate EMA, properly fund careers services, and reinvest in education and training if individuals and communities are to avoid the permanent scars of youth unemployment,’ added  Liam Burns.

The total number of people claiming job seekers allowance has also risen for the seventh month in a row to 1.6 million as the number of 16- to 24-year-olds increased by 74,000 to 991,000 over the last quarter, the highest total since records began in 1992.

To find out which companies are recruiting search graduate jobs.