Recently published statistics by the ONS have revealed that in the Sheffield Heeley constituency there are almost twice as many 18-24-year-olds claiming unemployment related benefits when compared with the UK average.

In the past year there has been a shockingly high increase of 115 additional claimants in the 18 – 24 age group.

Although the stats indicate that Covid 19 played a significant role in the initial spike in claimants, the rise in youth unemployment has continued far beyond the end of the pandemic.

Louise Haigh MP for Sheffield Heeley, said:

“The recent reports of increased youth employment in Sheffield Heeley are deeply worrying, but unfortunately, I am far from surprised.

“This is the eventual outcome of a government who have time and again failed to invest in the next generation’s future.

“Being unemployed at a young age can have a damaging impact for a person’s whole life and affect their ability to find work later on.

“That’s why Labour has set out an ambitious plan to break down barriers to opportunity. By expanding high-quality education, employment and training routes so more people than ever are on pathways with good prospects by 2035.”