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West & North Yorkshire Chamber call for youth employment to be key issue of Budget

West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce is backing the call of the national Chamber movement for next week’s Budget to focus on youth employment as a key issue.

The British Chambers of Commerce has asked the Chancellor George Osborne to answer the criticisms of employers about the lack of work readiness of young people.

BCC, in its submission to the Treasury, has highlighted the fact that young people are almost three times as likely to be unemployed as the rest of the population, causing problems in the labour market.

If the economy is to continue to recover from the recession, says BCC, steps are needed now to avoid a ‘lost generation’.

The new super-Chamber for the region wants to see the Budget focus on youth employment, training and enterprise.

Bradford Chamber President Paul Mackie said: “In this Budget, the Chancellor can help businesses train young people and ensure the nation has a properly skilled workforce for the future.

“Measures that would encourage more investment in businesses run by young people, such as extending income tax relief, would also help.”

Leeds President Nigel Foster said: “If our region is to compete with the south and elsewhere, we need appropriately qualified young people coming forward for the new posts being created.

“The transition from education to employment needs to be made as easy as possible. Judging schools on employability as well as exam results would be a good step to take.”

York & North Yorkshire President Suzanne Burnett added: “No-one wants to see a lost generation of young people devoid of the skills and aptitudes that are needed to deliver more growth and prosperity.

“Businesses are telling us with increasing frequency that skills shortages are a problem – it is clear that it is restricting growth.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .