Local London Assembly member John Biggs today called for a tax on bank bonuses to fund work placements for unemployed 16-24 year olds to prevent another ‘lost generation’. The call follows a 136% per cent rise in the last year in number of young people out of work for over six months in Barking & Dagenham
Local London Assembly member John Biggs said: “This Mayor and his Conservative government’s policies are failing, not only is Britain back in recession but now we find out that youth and long-term unemployment are rising sharply.”
“Whilst overall unemployment is down slightly these large increases in youth and also long-term unemployment are deeply worrying. Instead of taking a hands-off approach, the government and Mayor Boris Johnson need to use all their powers to get Londoners back to work. In recessions of the 80s and 90s we saw youth unemployment sky-rocket and the creation of a 'lost –generation'. We must do all we can to stop that happening again.”
“To tackle this crisis I am calling for a tax on bank bonuses to create a youth jobs fund to help 18-24 year olds get back to work and also build new homes in London.”
The figures published today reveal that in Barking & Dagenham:
- There are now 885 young unemployed people looking for work
- There are now 2,025 people who have been unemployed for 12 months or more and can’t find work.
- There are a total of 7,375 unemployed people looking for work
- There are only 955 job vacancies
ENDS
NOTES
1) JSA Claimant Count and Vacancy figures are available at www.nomisweb.co.uk
2) John Biggs is the London Assembly member for City and East, covering the boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Barking & Dagenham and the City of London.