Johann Lamont slams SNP youth unemployment record

THOUSANDS of school leavers are being left without jobs or training, Labour leader Johann Lamont claimed at First Minister’s questions today.

Johann Lamont: Attacked SNP. Picture: Jane Barlow

Ms Lamont said that 7,000 school leavers without jobs have yet to find a place on education or training courses as she attacked the SNP’s record on youth unemployment.

There are also 17,000 school leavers who have disappeared from official records with ministers not knowing what the youths “are doing” Ms Lamont said.

Ms Lamont said: “The First Minister promised that no young person would be left behind. He cuts college funding.”

However, Mr Salmond insisted that there had been “substantial progress” in tackling youth unemployment, with the number of those out of work falling by a third in Scotland.

He said: “During the most difficult economic climate, we have hugely increased the number of apprenticeships.”