Saturday, April 16, 2011
Labour and Plaid Cymru failing young people
This morning's Western Mail gives and indication as to why Wales is bottom of the economic league table under Labour and Plaid Cymru with a report showing that tens of millions of pounds allocated to train young people has not been spent.
They say that £103.3m of European money granted to the Wales from January 2007 was allocated to be spent under Priority 1, supplying young people with the skills needed for learning and future employment. Yet at the end of February this year only £11.9m had been spent on that priority.
In addition, although the intention was that one quarter of the participants on that scheme would be NEETs, young people not in employment, education or training, the actual figure is one in ten. That is a massive failure. It means that just over a quarter of the money allocated for increasing employment and improving skills of existing Welsh workers has found its way to the frontline at a time of economic hardship.
The unemployment rate for 16 to 24-year-olds is 20.4%. Labour and Plaid Cymru are letting down those youngsters by failing to use this money to improve their life chances.
They say that £103.3m of European money granted to the Wales from January 2007 was allocated to be spent under Priority 1, supplying young people with the skills needed for learning and future employment. Yet at the end of February this year only £11.9m had been spent on that priority.
In addition, although the intention was that one quarter of the participants on that scheme would be NEETs, young people not in employment, education or training, the actual figure is one in ten. That is a massive failure. It means that just over a quarter of the money allocated for increasing employment and improving skills of existing Welsh workers has found its way to the frontline at a time of economic hardship.
The unemployment rate for 16 to 24-year-olds is 20.4%. Labour and Plaid Cymru are letting down those youngsters by failing to use this money to improve their life chances.
