Scotland set to get £100m to help young into work

Scottish ministers were today urged to spend “every penny” of extra money on youth unemployment, as the UK government unveiled a £100 million package to help the jobless in Scotland back into work.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced the creation of a UK-wide £1 billion youth contract, which will see wage subsidies worth £2,275 handed to employers to take on 160,000 18-to-24-year-olds.

UK ministers want to create more than 400,000 work and training placements for young people in the face of record levels of youth unemployment.

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore confirmed the contract will be worth around £100m to Scotland in the shape of wage subsidies, work experience opportunities and extra money for the SNP Government.

“This £100m package for Scotland will help young people in many different ways and ensure that they are getting employed, getting support and getting the experience they need,” he told BBC’s Good Morning Scotland.

“Here is real support, either through wage subsidies, the opportunity for work experience or further support to the Scottish Government, with whom we’re working closely, to ensure we get the support to young people and prepare them so they’ve got the skills and experience, and as the economy does recover they’ll be well-placed to ensure they take up the much-needed opportunities,” Mr Moore added.