We must do more to tackle South Tyneside youth unemployment – for too long we've been held back

Local authority bosses will also write to government ministers expressing support for wider measures being implemented on the topic and emphasising the need for “targeted regional strategies and investments to tackle this issue”.

It comes after a motion was raised by Labour councillors at the latest authority-wide meeting of South Tyneside Council.

They highlighted how youth unemployment in the borough is “alarmingly high” – with the latest figures showing in South Tyneside 4.9% of people aged 16-24 are claiming out of work benefits.

This is compared to the North East average of 3.8% and national figure of 4.1%.

Meanwhile 9.8% of young people aged 18-21 are claiming benefits in South Tyneside, also higher than both the North East (5.9%) and national (6.2%) averages.

Labour’s Councillor Ruth Berkley, cabinet member for adults, health and independence, in proposing the motion, stressed that tackling youth unemployment is a “vitally important economic issue”.

She added for “too long” the borough “has been held back” which has seen young people deprived of opportunities and jobs.

However she stressed the situation “is improving” and the government’s youth guarantee scheme is a “welcome step forward” which looks to ensure all 18 to 21-year-olds in England can access help to find work.

This includes through work and training opportunities, free travel passes, mental health support, money advice and offering a guaranteed paid work placement to young people who have been out of a job or education for 18 months.

The motion called for the local authority to organise a summit bringing together partners across the borough to develop a strategy that looks to better understand the barriers faced by young people in accessing education, training and skills.

This would also look to prepare them for the world of work and encourage raising aspirations for their future success.

Additionally the motion will see the council write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions expressing support for the government’s plans to reduce youth unemployment and call for further regional work and investments.

An amendment proposed by Councillor John Robertson, from The REAL Independent Councillors group, will see copies of the letter and any subsequent response included in future papers to full council.

The motion was unanimously approved by councillors at the meeting held at South Shields Town Hall earlier in January.

Cllr Berkely said: “Our young people are being prevented from thriving because of the economic and structural barriers that have existed for far too long.

“This issue is not only economic but also a health and wellbeing issue, it is well known that prolonged unemployment among young people can lead to poorer mental health, increased isolation and long term health inequalities.

“Without secure employment or training they face financial hardship, reduced life chances and poorer health outcomes, which only get more difficult as time goes on.”

She added through the motion the council can commit to bringing together health services, employers, training providers and community organisations to understand the barriers and design solutions that work for South Tyneside.

Labour’s Councillor Liz McHugh, cabinet member for children and families social care and education and skills, seconding the motion, said the government are taking “some really critical, vital steps” on the issues which are “very much welcome within South Tyneside”.

She added: “South Tyneside faces unique challenges and we need local solutions that reflect the needs of our young people.

“That means working with schools, colleges, employers and families to raise aspirations to ensure every young person has access to education, high quality training, apprenticeships and jobs.

“Young people deserve better and as a council we have a responsibility to act.”

Councillor David Francis, Green Group representative, claimed that while he supported the motion’s aim, they should acknowledge that “things have got worse under the Labour government both nationally and locally”.

He added: “We support efforts to help young people but we need real action that is supported by the national government, providing help in tackling in-work poverty and precarious employment, but of course addressing the structural inequality and austerity which underpins youth unemployment.

“That said it’s important we do what we can as a local authority to offer real local solutions that will impact real people’s real lives in South Tyneside and I would hope that the proposed summit can help deliver that. “

Councillor Jim Yare, South Tyneside Alliance Group representative, said he fully supported the principles of the motion and hoped armed forces partners would be invited to the summit.

Cllr Berkely responded by noting they will work with the armed forces and “encourage them to help us”, stressing the work forms part of “an important process” to “genuinely tackle” youth unemployment.