Youth unemployment continues to creep up

Minister for Work and Pensions lobbied by his unemployed constituents Friday 16 June

The latest figures show the recession is far from over for young people, with 16-24 unemployment up 11,000 this month.

Youth Fight for Jobs is organising a lobby and protest of Iain Duncan Smith's (Minister for Work and Pensions) surgery at 3:15pm, Friday 16 June, 20A Station Road, Chingford, London, E4 7BE to ask whether young people's future will be protected in the coming budget next week.

Young people will come dressed 'ready for work' to protest at the portrayal of unemployed youth as lazy and unwilling to work.

Youth Fight for Jobs is supported by Unite, UCU, PCS, RMT, CWU and Bectu as well as many students unions and local trade unions.

Ben Robinson, Youth Fight for Jobs Chair, said "There has been much promise of the recession 'drawing to a close', but for young people this hasn't translated into jobs and opportunities.

This new government has left young people hanging - Labour's Future Jobs Fund has been suspended but no alternative is offered.

Cutbacks have been made to our chance to go to university and college already, but with jobs being cut in the public sector, the possibility of a squeeze in benefits, we'd like to ask the minister what exactly are we supposed to do?"

Stephen, an unemployed graduate who is one of Iain Duncan Smiths constituents, said "The London borough that Iain Duncan Smith represents has 1 job going for every 12.4 dole claimants, according to the TUCs research.

What is he going to do for us to ensure we don't become a wasted generation?"

Youth Fight for Jobs was launched in January 2009 to combat the growing effects of youth unemployment.

It has organised several demonstrations and protests to draw attention to the abandonment many young people feel.

As well as support last year from the PCS, RMT and CWU, Youth Fight for Jobs recently gained the support of Unite, UCU and Bectu, meaning now almost three million workers have pledged their support for the campaign.

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