A lost generation?

The Macquarie Youth Index report from the Prince’s Trust makes shocking reading, but doesn’t really tell us anything we didn’t already know – I have drawn on that report for many years. What is different today is that the media has actually picked it up. The fact that 21 per cent of unemployed young people feel that their life is not worth living should give us all pause for thought. We have had the normal hand washing from the DWP telling us how successful the Youth Contract is, as if that is a reason not to be concerned. Rather like the constant mantra about record numbers in work (numbers that are totally irrelevant in a growing population) these fine words butter no parsnips.

Of course the Youth Contract is having some success, in particular when it is locally administered and I welcome the growth in apprenticeships, which undoubtedly have offered an important alternative route into employment for many young people; but the overall impact on youth unemployment is pitiful.

It is worth remembering of course, that high youth unemployment is not new, it was also unacceptably high under Labour. It has been a thorny problem regardless of the political persuasion of government. As I have argued before and will continue to argue, what is often missing is the meaningful voice of young people themselves. Yes, we hear from the successes, those who have been helped and supported and have a good story to tell, but when do we ever seriously listen to those who have been failed by the system?  This is why I am arguing for a national Youth Summit to ensure that we hear the voices of those young people and the organisations who work with them.

It is also important to remember that with 3 million unemployed and only around 500,000 vacancies at any one time, the biggest problem is that there just aren’t enough jobs out there. That is why I believe it is vital that government gives serious consideration to investing in job creation, not just in the private sector but in the beleaguered public sector where the cuts are further damaging those most dependent on them.

And all this must be seen in the context of the demise of the Youth Service. As a youth worker in the early 80s we had provision that was open for 12 hours a day with a team of youth workers to support and advise those young people who were unemployed. It is striking to learn that now 72 per cent of long-term unemployed young people have no one to confide in. No one to help build their self esteem and skills and enable them see that they do have a future.

Today’s headlines, as ever, run the risk of becoming tomorrow’s chip paper. I sincerely hope that will not be the case. I trust that everyone with a role to play will redouble their efforts, commit to listening, learning and applying that learning to ensure we leave no stone unturned in enabling every young person to fulfil their potential and begin their adult life with a sense of purpose and hope.

Linda Jack is a member of the Parliamentary Policy Committee for Education, Young People and Families, and former member of the Federal Policy Committee