GREATER MANCHESTER YOUNGSTERS BECOMING "LOST GENERATION" AS 1 IN 3 ARE UNEMPLOYED

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 2nd Jun 2009

As unemployment continues to rise, young people are being hit hardest by the recession, according to research from Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell.

One in three unemployed people in Greater Manchester is under the age of 24, and the total has risen to 25,065, almost double the 14,875 a year ago, and more than any other age group. In Andrew's own area of Stockport, youth unemployment had doubled from 965 in 2008, to 1,880 this year.

Now Mr Stunell is calling for the government to do more to ensure young people aren't left behind.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:

"These figures are deeply worrying, and young people are in danger of becoming the lost generation of this recession.

"This summer, hundreds more young people in the borough will be leaving education, and looking for jobs, yet in the current climate, most will be forced to sign on rather than clock on.

"We need real help from the government now to ensure that young people are offered real opportunities to build skills and get decent jobs."

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