BRIGHTON & HOVE’S Labour & Co-operative Group are joining calls for the Conservative-led Government to repeat last year’s bank bonus tax and use the money raised to help create up to 100,000 much needed youth jobs.

Youth unemployment currently stands at almost one million – that means one in five young people unable to find work. There are nearly four and a half thousand young people unemployed in Brighton & Hove alone.

Of course the worldwide recession – caused by the irresponsible actions of the banks – meant youth unemployment rose sharply. But a year ago, thanks to Labour’s youth jobs programme, it was starting to fall steadily. However, one of the first things the Tory-led Government did was to scrap Labour’s youth jobs guarantee, leaving more young people looking for work than when Labour left office.

Brighton & Hove Labour & Co-operative Lead for Economic Development & Regeneration, Councillor Warren Morgan, said:

“Putting young people on the dole is not just a waste of talent but its a waste of money too.   Failing to get Britain back to work fast enough is helping to push up the benefits bill by over £12 billion – that’s £500 for every household in Brighton & Hove.

“We need to act now to stop another lost generation of young people – like in the 1980s when youth unemployment rose for four years after the recession was over.

“That’s why we need another fair tax on bank bonuses to get people off the dole and into work. It’s the best way to get the deficit down – and stop Britain’s talent going to waste.  The youth jobs fund could create up to 5,000 jobs in the South East alone. People can sign up to our campaign at www.britainslosttalent.co.uk.’’