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Millions to prevent 'lost generation'

More than £13m has been pledged to help stop the region’s teenagers becoming a ‘lost generation’ during the recession.

Children’s Secretary Ed Balls said the money would provide a ‘September guarantee’ of a place in education and training for ’every 16 and 17-year-old who wants one.“

An extra 4,350 places will be created, by handing education authorities in the North East a total of £5.4m.

Mr Balls also revealed that the number of 16 and 17-year-olds in the North East deciding to stay on in education or training rose from 82% in 2001, to 84% in 2007.

But the announcement was overshadowed by separate statistics revealing that 18-year-olds are being hit hardest by the recession and the surge in unemployment.

At the end of last year, 16.6% of 18-year-olds were classified as ‘Neets’ not in education, employment or training - a big leap on 14.2% a year earlier.

Government statisticians said the increase was the result of ‘reduced employment’ suggesting it will have risen even further this year as the recession hit harder.

Mr Balls admitted to the growing problem, saying: “The 18-year-olds concerned are in a tougher jobs environment. “The jobs market is under pressure and there are fewer jobs this year.”

But he insisted the extra money for college places and training proved the Government was not “repeating the mistakes of the past, by abandoning a generation of young people.”

Barnardo’s chief executive Martin Narey said: “In the current recession, the situation is desperate for thousands of young people who leave school at 16, wanting to work or train in the workplace.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .