Record fall in youth unemployment in Leeds City Region

13.8.14

The number of young people claiming Job Seekers Allowance has fallen faster in Leeds City Region than across the UK as a whole, according to new government figures.

There are now 41% fewer 18-24 year olds claiming Job Seekers Allowance in the City Region than in April 2013 – a faster fall than the UK rate over the same period:

Creating more, better quality work opportunities for young people is at the heart of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) Strategic Economic Plan to boost jobs and growth. Projects and programmes already underway are playing a key role in reducing youth unemployment and achieving the LEP’s overall goal of a ‘NEET-free’ City Region.

The Leeds City Region Devolved Youth Contract – secured as a result of the 2012 City Deal – has created around 1,400 job opportunities for 16-17 year olds in Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield since the pilot programme was launched in September 2012.

Delivered through local partners, the programme has achieved markedly better results than the national picture: 70% of young people taking part in the Leeds City Region Devolved Youth Contract have made an initial progression into education, employment or training, compared with 30% nationally.

Meanwhile, 1,000 small businesses have pledged to take on an apprentice with support from the LEP’s Apprenticeship Hub Programme. Free, impartial advice is available through a network of eight local Apprenticeship Hubs, making it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to employ an apprentice and for young people and their parents to navigate post-16 career options.

Further information about the Leeds City Region’s labour market performance will be available in the LEP’s Labour Market Analysis 2014, which will be launched next month.