Long term unemployment amongst Dundee's young adults increases from 20 to 380 in 3 years
3 September 2012
The number of young adults in the 18-24 year old group in July who have been out of work for over a year is the highest in the past fifteen years.
The present number stands at 380, while in July1997 it was 445.
The Dundee figure represents 2 per cent of those claiming Job Seekers Allowance as a proportion of the population in that age group in Dundee
This Dundee figure is the highest for the 4 main Scottish cities, the others being :
Aberdeen 0.4 per cent
Glasgow 1.5 per cent
Edinburgh 0.6 per cent
Kevin Keenan, Labour group on Dundee City Council, commented on the figures saying,
“The rapid rise in long term unemployment amongst this important young adult age group is a major concern.
“Three years ago, the figure stood at 20.
“Now it stands at 380
“Part of the solution can come from both national governments.
“They should consider giving a guarantee to all 18-24 long term unemployed of a paid job for 6 months.
“This would enable them to acquire the experience of work that they need for full-time employment .
“However, this has to be just a part of a pro-jobs agenda for Dundee to turn round the economic fortunes of the whole of the city’s working population.
“ Unless both UK and Scottish Government’s tackle unemployment amongst young adults effectively, then the legacy of having so many young people without a job will remain with the city for years to come.”
Labour’s Real Job guarantee would require all young people aged 18 to 24 who have been unemployed for more than a year to go on a six month long paid job, preferably in the private sector.
The government would pay full wages directly to the business to cover 25 hours of work per week at the minimum wage – £4,000 per job.
In return, the employer would be expected to cover the training and development of the young person for a minimum of 10 hours a week.
The employer would work with private/voluntary sector welfare-to-work providers to agree how best this training can be effective, alongside intensive job-search for a permanent opportunity at the end of the six months.