MP slams jobless figures

A CITY MP has said the UK Government is creating a “jobless generation”.

Statistics show an 81 per cent rise in a year in long-term youth unemployment in one city constituency.

Edinburgh North & Leith Labour MP Mark Lazarowicz said the figures showed that between January 2011 and January this year the number of young people aged 18-24 unemployed for six months or more in his seat had risen from 105 to 190. He said across the UK unemployment was now at its highest rate since 1995.

Mr Lazarowicz said: “The long-term youth unemployment claimant count stood at 148,700 – a rise of 103 per cent over the previous year.

“These figures confirm what young people in Edinburgh North and Leith already know – this government is creating a jobless generation.”