The recession will stretch services

Last month, the Conservatives obtained statistics that showed that more than 860,000 young people aged 16 to 24 were not in education, employment or training last December. This figure is 230,000 more than when the government first collected the statistics in 2000.

While the government has announced measures in the past few weeks to try to offset the effect of the recession on young people - mostly notably that it is pumping £260m into creating 150,000 for jobs for unemployed young people in councils and voluntary organisations - there is little doubt that the longer the recession lasts, the more young people will find themselves out of work or education and with time on their hands. Most will use their time constructively to find work placements or volunteering opportunities but ultimately some will be left hanging about on the streets with little to do.