Lib Dems Pledge Help for Young Unemployed

11.27.00am GMT Wed 27th Jan 2010

The Lib Dems have announced proposals to tackle the impact of the recession on young people.

Hundreds of thousands of young people leaving school, college and university with hopes of starting a career have been left stricken by the recession, finding themselves unable to get on the first step of the job ladder.

The Liberal Democrats have outlined a series of policy pledges that would ensure that young people are given the help that they need now, to ensure that they are not left behind in any recovery.

The Lib Dems will make a promise to young people that they will not spend more than 90 days on Jobseekers Allowance before they get more training, education, an internship or a place on a work programme. We will do this by increasing the number of further education places, giving students financial support to return to college and creating a paid internship scheme.

Specific measures would include:

• Support for young people while they get valuable work experience by paying anyone undertaking an internship a 'training allowance' of £55 a week

• Funding for up to 15,000 more college-based foundation degree places over the next academic year

• An increase in the Adult Learning Grant, which is a means-tested benefit for 18-24 year olds studying their first level 2 or 3 qualifications (GCSE or A Level equivalent)

Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Vauxhall said:

"Young people in Vauxhall have been hard hit by the recession, struggling to get on the first rung of the career ladder. Our package of training, paid internships, and apprenticeships will help young people get out of unemployment and back into vital work experience."