Westminster Life: A new deal for young people
Peterborough helped build modern Britain through our bricks, engineering and railways but this legacy has given way to the rise of youth unemployment, writes Andrew Pakes MP
My parents were part of a generation that worked hard, played by the rules, and knew that in return their children would have better chances in life. But that deal has been broken. For far too many parents, and young people, the chance of a decent job and getting on a life is more difficult.
That’s why I am passionate about apprenticeships and getting Britain making things again.
The story of youth unemployment in the country is played out in Peterborough. We have lost too many of the secure career routes and job opportunities for young people. Under the Conservative government, the number of apprenticeships started by young people fell 40 percent. Youth unemployment is higher in Peterborough than in many parts of the country.
Youth employment today is a moral mission. Across Britain, nearly a million young people aren’t in education, employment or training. That is not just a waste of opportunity for them, it costs us all. That’s why I fought for Peterborough to be one of the Youth Guarantee pilot areas, £10 million in investment over two years to help tackle this challenge head on. Already we’ve seen the new Youth Employment hub open at the Peterborough United stadium. In Parliament I have spoken and lobbied Ministers more about apprenticeships than any other issue. We also have our city ambitions to expand ARU Peterborough and to continue backing the success of Peterborough College.
This week the government announced a major ‘New Deal’ for young people backed by £1 billion to help create 200,000 jobs for young people, alongside reforms in apprenticeships to help employers and young people. It is ambitious in scope and begins to address the urgency required by this moral mission. A new Youth Jobs Grant, through which businesses will receive £3,000 for every young person they hire aged 18-24 who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for six months. Expansions of the Jobs Guarantee so that everyone young person out of work for 18 months can get paid for work experience. And something I have been campaigning on since being elected, an Apprenticeship Incentive of £2,000 for each new employee aged 16-24 taken on by an SME.
Local businesses have regularly raised the idea of an incentive with me, and it was great to hear the Federation of Small Businesses and CBI backing the plans this week. The FSB described the changes as ‘a game-changer to tackle youth unemployment and inactivity’.
Peterborough is a fast-growing city. Last week I attended a growth summit called by the Mayor and involving the council, businesses, educators and charities. Growth matters but for too long it has been about other people getting the opportunities – shareholders, companies based elsewhere, not us. The message I heard at the event was about inclusive growth and making sure opportunities stay in the city. I will keep fighting for this every day. Because if we can ensure every young person has the opportunity to get on in life, we can turn our country around.