BAILLIE

Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton Constituency, has called on the Scottish Government to focus on providing jobs for young people, in her constituency and across Scotland, to prevent losing an entire generation to unemployment.

Labour market statistics published this week have revealed that only slightly over half (52.1%) of 16 to 24 year olds in Scotland are employed – lower than the UK-wide statistic of 53%.

The statistics also show that in October 2019 to September 2020, 36,000 young people aged 16 to 24 years old were unemployed in Scotland, representing an increase of 3,000 more than last year.

Jackie Baillie has said that the SNP Government is falling short in delivering its ‘Young Person’s Guarantee’ which is supporting only 8,000 young people – far short of supporting all unemployed young people.

Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“We cannot allow Scottish Government inaction to result in a generation being lost to unemployment.

“We need high-skill, high-pay jobs to help re-build our economy – it’s vital that the SNP pulls out all the stops to ensure our young people get the education and training that they need.

“It’s time for the Scottish Government to bolster the support given to our colleges and universities and to intervene in the economy to kickstart growth and generate the jobs of the future.”