'Don't Stigmatise Unemployed', Says Alliance

Following the publication of figures by the Prince's Trust showing that youth unemployment costs £4.5m a week in Northern Ireland, the Alliance Employment Spokesperson Chris Lyttle has called for a coherent strategy - rather than 'demonisation'.

He said that for young people not in education or employment, training is vital to give them hope and also to boost the economy.

The shock statistic comes from new figures published by the Prince's Trust that used research by the London School of Economics suggesting that when lost productivity is included, each job seeker costs up to £16,000 a year.

It also found that long-term unemployment among 16 to 24-year-olds had increased "more than seven-fold since before the recession".

The Trust - that works with 14 to 30-year-olds to improve their chances of employment - also said that in NI, the number of people in the same age group on Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for 12 months or more, recently reached a 12-year high.

However, a statement said that, at a conservative estimate, youth unemployment costs Northern Ireland more than £4.5m per week in lost productivity.

Commenting, East Belfast Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle said: "It's vital that we give people opportunities to fulfil their potential. People need hope and the prospect of a positive future with a steady career ahead of them to help them reach their potential."

He also hit out at those who seek to stigmatise such young people: "Negatively branding people who receive benefits is a disgrace and it betrays their lack of vision on this issue."

"We need to work with, and assist, people to help them into work," the MLA continued.

"The Stormont Employment and Learning Committee has shown leadership on this by completing a wide-ranging inquiry on helping young people reach their potential, and the resulting report is set to be published in the new year with a view to prompting the Executive to deliver a cross-departmental strategy.

"The Prince's Trust does an exceptional job but they need the support of a strategy from Government on this.

"NI needs a coherent and well-resourced strategy to help those who are the future of our country.

"We need more co-operation between government, colleges and companies to create more apprenticeships and work placement opportunities.

"The very least our young people deserve is hope and we need to help provide good job prospects. The Stormont Executive must not fail in its task - Our future depends on it."

(BMcC/GK)