Youth unemployment worse in some parts of England than Bulgaria or Slovenia as ‘benefits bill rises’

Around one million young people across the UK are considered Neets.

An area particularly concerned with this issue is Blackpool in Lancashire.

Famous for its iconic tower and promenade lit up at night by historic illuminations, the seaside town also faces a major issue with seasonal work and, therefore, unemployment benefits.

More than 30 per cent of young people in Blackpool claim out-of-work benefits, a figure local MP Chris Webb says is unacceptable.

Speaking to GB News, the Labour backbencher said he and other MPs have been telling the Government for some time they need to focus on this issue and provide young people with more assistance.

He added: “If young people are able to work, they should be in work. And we’ve got to make sure that happens, because we can’t let that benefit bill keep going up and up and up. But we’ve got to give them (young people) that support to make sure they can.”

On the streets of Blackpool, people are also asking for more opportunities.

Several of them said there need to be more apprenticeships and training available to young people to give them the choice to learn a trade or gain valuable career experience.

However, one man said “young people can’t get a genuine start in life”.

He added “there aren’t any genuine apprenticeships to be had”.

Another individual told the People’s Channel he is currently working at the arcade on Blackpool’s front, but when his contract ends in November, he has no idea what he will do.

He said: “To be fair, there could be more job opportunities for younger and older people, to be honest, because it’s mainly like that around Blackpool. It’s just seasonal work and after the season ends, it’s going to be a lot harder for anybody to get any other job after that.”

Downing Street has said tacking the spiralling number of Neets is “at the top of their agenda”, but sources also say it is unlikely Chancellor John Healey will be announcing anything specific for this during his first Budget on Wednesday.

The Tories are demanding Labour cut National Insurance, which would in turn make it cheaper for employers to hire young people.

Helen Whately, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said: “Labour has led Britain into a youth jobs emergency. Their tax raids and red tape have destroyed jobs.

“Every day, the number of young people out of work grows – with taxpayers forced to foot the bill. We cannot allow an entire generation to grow up with no experience of work, consigned to a lifetime on benefits. Labour must act urgently… Otherwise, Labour’s lost generation will continue to pay the price.”

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