Centrepoint fears as youth unemployment levels rise
Unemployment rates amongst young people have once again increased. Centrepoint is concerned the homeless young people that it supports, many of whom are already at a disadvantage when seeking work, will become increasingly marginalised as a result of the economic downturn and rising youth unemployment.
- As youth unemployment rises, Centrepoint is concerned for the young people in its services
The Office for National Statistics found that young people have been particularly hard hit by the recession. Alarmingly, the unemployment rate for 18-24 year olds now stands at 16.6%, the highest it has been since 1993.
In the three months to April, 462,000 people aged 16 and 17 were in employment, 16.5% less than in the same period a year earlier. In the same three months, 3.5m people aged 18 to 24 were in employment, down 4.8% from the same period a year earlier.
CEO of Centrepoint, Seyi Obakin, said:
“Our figures show that homeless young people are finding it increasingly difficult to find work. This situation will be exacerbated this summer as the new cohort of new school leavers and graduates begin to look for work. Centrepoint welcomes the additional government funds being put into ensuring more education and training places for young people. However, it is important there are employment opportunities for those who have had a difficult or irregular education but are keen to take up employment.”
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