MEP backs EU youth unemployment funding

Euro-MPs today backed moves for a Europe wide youth guarantee scheme, which would increase EU funding to help get young people who have been out of work back into education, training or a job.

Rochdale Liberal Democrat Euro-MP Chris Davies voted for the measure and said: "Youth unemployment is a major concern to my constituents who rightly see a skilled workforce able to work throughout the EU as a vital part of our future.

"Liberal Democrats in Coalition are tackling youth unemployment and building a stronger, fairer economy. That is why a £1bn Youth Contract was launched last April, giving nearly half-a-million young people the chance to earn and learn.”

“The recent national fall in unemployment was driven by the biggest drop in youth unemployment on record but there is more work still to do.”

In the North West region, the number of 16-24 year olds not in education, training or work has fallen by 56,000 over the last year, a 27% decrease.

"The EU Youth Guarantee Scheme would build on this recent progress by providing additional funding from the European Social Fund. This would help finance new government initiatives, such as the increased grants for small and medium-sized businesses taking on young apprentices announced by Vince Cable last week. It is an excellent example of how the EU helps 27 national governments work together to tackle youth unemployment."