WIREDGOV

Commenting on figures published yesterday (Thursday) by the Office for National Statistics, which show that there were 1.04 million young people (aged 16 to 24) in the UK who were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in the last quarter of 2013, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Whilst any fall in the number of NEETs is welcome, the fact that over a million young people aren’t in work or education shows we still have a huge youth jobs crisis.

“Government action to help young people should start in schools with full career guidance for pupils aged 12 and upwards.

“School-leavers deserve further support too, with a job guarantee for any young person out of work for at least six months. This would help tackle the long-term joblessness that can permanently damage young people’s careers before they have even started out in the world of work.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The latest NEET statistics are available at www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lms/young-people-not-in-education--employment-or-training--neets-/february-2014/statistical-bulletin.html

- The TUC is organising Fair Pay Fortnight from Monday 24 March to Sunday 6 April. It will be a series of events across England and Wales to raise awareness about falling living standards. www.fairpayfortnight.org  

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen   T: 020 7467 1248    M: 07778 158175    E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth    T: 020 7467 1372    M: 07717 531150     E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk