The head of UNISON, the UK’s leading public sector union, today called on the Government to boost support for young people. Dave Prentis called for adequate funding for the Connexions service, the £4.83p development rate of the minimum wage to be scrapped, and more apprenticeships for the under 25’s.
The union also reported a steady, three-year long increase in the number of young people turning to them for help in the downturn. 27,212 people aged between 16-27 joined the union between January and December 2009, a rise of 704 people compared to the same period in 2008, and a rise of 3528 compared to the 2007 membership figure*.
Speaking at a seminar for youth and Connexions workers, Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:
“Young people are increasingly worried about their future, and are turning to unions for support. On the positive side the government introduced the minimum wage are providing apprenticeships, but young people still need more help to cope as we move out of the recession.
“With nearly 1 million young people unemployed, it makes no sense to start cutting funding for vital services such as Connexions, youth workers and youth support services. These cuts will leave many young people without the help they need to take their first steps onto the jobs ladder, creating a ‘lost generation’. The government need to keep up funding for this vital ‘lifeline’, and not leave young people adrift when they most need help.
“Billions have been pumped into bail out the banks, young people should not be left to pay twice for a recession they did not create – with dwindling job opportunities, and less services to help get them back on their feet.
“The £4.83 ‘minimum wage development rate’ should be scrapped, and the Government should boost the number of apprenticeships available to young people, now. We want real, vocational and long-lasting schemes, that lead to a job at the end, not just an opportunity for employers to get short-term, cheap labour.”
Notes to editors:
*UNISON recruited 23,684 young members between January and December 2007, 26,508 between January and December 208, and 27,212 between January and December 2009.
Iain Wright MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for 14 – 19 Reform and Apprenticeships, will address the seminar, taking place in London today (Tuesday 9 February, 2010).
UNISON is the largest education union in the UK, representing over 350,000 workers in the education sector, including 30,000 members who work in the Youth and Community and Careers/Connexions Service.