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Citizens Advice is calling on the Chancellor to tackle youth unemployment in his Budget next week, as new figures reveal the large number of people estimated to be in zero-hours contracts.

Gillian Guy, Citizens Advice Chief Executive, said:

"Getting young people into work must be at the heart of George Osborne's Budget next week. Too many young people have been frozen out of the economic recovery and despite recent progress there are 38,000 fewer under-25s in work than this time last year.

“For many young people the route from school into employment is not clear. It’s important the right support is in place so people can develop the necessary skills to help them secure sustainable work.

“The recession has been especially tough on young people, with the number of young adults coming to us for help with Jobseekers Allowance more than doubling since 2007. Even for those in work, getting fair treatment can often be a struggle, with 49 per cent rise in under-25s coming to Citizens Advice for help with employment terms and conditions since before the recession.

"Anyone just starting out on their career is more likely than most other age groups to be on a zero-hours contract and these employees have a right to expect basic standards of fairness. Far too often, a zero-hours contract is seen by unscrupulous employers as an excuse to side-line basic rights at work like holiday or maternity pay. There is a role for flexible work contracts in the labour market but not at the expense of fair treatment and a stable income. Minimum hours and minimum pay should form the very basics of flexible contracts."

Notes to editors

1. This year the Citizens Advice service celebrates its 75th anniversary. We’ve planned a year of activity running from January to December 2014.  Contact the press office to find out more.
2. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
3. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
4. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at www.adviceguide.org.uk
5. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06 or 08454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
6. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 6.6 million problems from April 2012 to March 2013. For full 2012/2013 service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
7. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 22,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.