The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The number of 16 to 24-year-olds in Spalding claiming unemployment benefits has increased 167 per cent in a year due to COVID-19, a group that trains young people in Spalding has said.
Quoting research from the Office for National Statistics , Nacro says 600 people in that age group were unemployed and claiming benefits in June 2020.
That’s up from 225 in the same month last year.
The 167 per cent increase is also higher than the national rise in youth unemployment of 149 per cent.
A spokesman for the charity, said: “The figures reflect an unfair burden on young people, as they have born the brunt of the COVID-related economic downturn.
Zoe Whitmore, principal at Nacro Spalding in Westlode Street, said: “Not since the 1980s have we seen a collapse of the youth labour market like we are seeing today.
“Many young people find their plans on hold and the rug pulled out from under them. But there are options out there.
“It is important now that young people stay in education and training and prepare for the jobs market of the future to give them the best chance in this more competitive future.
“Local Further Education and skills providers like Nacro are best placed to do this.
“They know the local job markets, they have time to work with learners as individuals, link them to employers and they can build trust with young people to get the best out of them.”
