Government creating a lost generation of untapped potential
Figures out today (Thursday 22 August) showing over one million young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), tell a million stories of 'untapped potential' and 'dashed hopes', warned the leader of Britain's largest union, Unite.
Accusing the government of creating a lost generation, Len McCluskey, Unite general secretary said:
“There can be no cause for celebration with over one million young people not in education, employment or training. These figures tell a million stories of untapped potential and dashed hopes thanks to a government that has made it harder and harder for our young people to make a start in life.
“Its disastrous handling of the economy means all it is prepared to offer our young people is an insecure future of low paid employment, creating a lost generation with no hope and no future.
“Scrapping educational maintenance allowance, hiking up tuition fees, axing youth services and cutting housing benefit for young people deepens their marginalisation. This is not the way to build a healthy society.
"Our young people are not a pool of cheap labour - they are meant to be our citizens of tomorrow. They need to be offered more than despair. They need a stake in our society, which comes by investing in them through apprenticeships, education, vocational training and decent jobs.”
