Government approach to youth unemployment branded 'piecemeal'

According to the report, the government’s response to the youth unemployment crisis is “insufficient” and “piecemeal”, because responsibilities for tackling the issue are “split across departments” and there is “a lack of coordination at a national level”.

The report calls for the creation of a dedicated national unit responsible for oversight of government efforts to reduce youth unemployment.

The unit would engage with third sector bodies and local government and be headed by a cross-departmental minister with responsibility for youth employment at a national level.

“While there is no shortage of government initiatives, there is an urgent need for an accountable, cross-departmental unit to join up policy at a national level,” the report said.

Meanwhile, the study argues that government should focus primarily on preventing long-term youth unemployment, which has “quadrupled over the past decade and more than doubled since the start of the recession”.

Dr Neil Lee, the report’s author, said the government should be addressing youth unemployment as one of its most urgent priorities.

“Youth unemployment is a complex issue,” he said. “To tackle it, we must ensure that young people have the education and skills they need for the labour market, the incentives to get into work and the necessary knowledge of available opportunities.”

The report also raises concerns about the number of young people falling outside the system of targeted support, warning that nearly one in three unemployed young people are not claiming benefits or accessing services.

Lee said: “It is a particular concern that at present no agency tracks or has responsibility for young people making the onwards transition from school.”