‘Today’s ONS labour market stats once again show the stark impact of the pandemic on the jobs market for young people – they continue to be the hardest hit, with under-25s accounting for three-fifths of the fall in employment.
‘A fifth of 16 to 17 years olds are now unemployed and not in education. We’re also seeing widening disparities for particular ethnic groups, with significant rises in unemployment for Asian and Black people.
‘It’s critical that the Government delivers on its promise of an Opportunity Guarantee for all young people. That should include the Chancellor committing to extend the Kickstart scheme beyond December to enable more young people, particularly from marginalised backgrounds, to benefit from the scheme.’
