A word from the experts: Noel Hatch and the role of Government
All skilled up, all doled up by Noel Hatch
Once seemingly so prosperous, the current youth generation now faces poor job opportunities and low pay. Close to one million are unemployed; nearly one in five 18-25 year olds. We’re not unskilled: people are leaving higher education with better qualifications than ever before. Brought up with the notion that we live in a “no risk” society, long-term unemployment at a young age can hit confidence and motivation hard. As Rowenna Davis states, “Being hit so hard at the first hurdle, some may be tempted to quit the game altogether.”
Youth unemployment costs the UK £100million a month, so to address the problem is not just in the interests of the young. Here are three ways in which the Government could do more to improve the situation:
1) A minimum wage for young people on work placements
When jobs are hard to come young people often rely on apprenticeships and work placements to develop their experience, but this cannot be seen as a feasible alternative. These roles involve people working above and beyond what is required of them in return for being paid under the minimum wage. Yes, experience is very important, but remember that these young people to do not receive reduced rates on rent, or pay reduced prices for food at the supermarket. We should call for a minimum wage and benefits for all young people in apprenticeships, internships or other work placements.
2) A re-think of unemployment benefits
By targeting the poorest, the Government’s approach to unemployment benefits creates and “us” and “them” mentality. The assumption is made that those out of work don’t have anything to contribute and therefore are in need of skills to get back into work. On the other end of the scale, not enough has been done to support young people not claiming benefits but struggling to find work.
3) Financially incentivising youth work in the local community
Young people out of work have skills, connections and experience that are invaluable to community groups. They are already creating alternatives to rebuild a more caring economy – take a look across the Slumpwise panel of experts.
That’s why we should campaign for a community allowance (www.communityallowance.org) linking those out of work with those in work, not on the basis of their relationship to the labour market but on their relationship to the community.
This would support young people out of work to take their first steps back into work, developing their skills, experience and confidence. By enabling them to earn an income on top of their benefits and providing integrated training and support, it makes the money spent on the benefits system work for people and their communities. Indeed, for every pound invested in the Community Allowance £10 worth of social value is created. These approaches not only develop people’s skills, they build the capacity of the community to become more resilient in collaboration with public services.
Noel Hatch is the National Youth Chair of Compass. He is the co-author of “Radical Future – Politics for the Next Generation” (Soundings, 2010) and will be speaking at the Compass Annual Conference.
