1,000 young people jobless in North Somerset

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th Sep 2009

The number of 16-24 year olds out of work in North Somerset has risen to its highest level in 12 years, the latest official figures show.

Overall, claims for unemployment benefits in North Somerset in the month of August grew to 3,213, more than double the rate a year ago.

However, it is growing joblessness among young people that has attracted particular concern from a local campaigner.

In August 2009, 985 16-24 year olds were claiming jobseekers allowance in North Somerset, compared to 510 a year ago.

Mike Bell, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Weston-super-Mare, said: "Youth unemployment in Weston and North Somerset is at its highest level for more than a decade. This depressing milestone must spur the Government and local council to greater action.

"Local young people had enough to worry about in trying to get onto the property ladder, which has certainly been made worse by the recession and credit crunch. But now many young people are also finding it impossible to get a job too.

"The Government could take a lead by scrapping the pointless VAT cut immediately and use the money to create more paid internships, apprenticeships and university places for our young people.

"But we need more. How many times must we be told junction 21 will be improved before something actually happens? Businesses are simply not relocating here because of traffic chaos.

"When will real action be taken to get some of our empty shops and business units back into use? The council has pocketed hundreds of thousands of pounds in grants from Government business rates schemes - why can that money not be invested now in our community to boost jobs and back our small businesses?"