Devon youth unemployment triples

One in 15 young adults claim benefits

Devon’s youngsters have borne the brunt of unemployment created as a result of the pandemic, with levels tripling in a year.

As of March 2021 – the latest data available – 6.7 per cent of those aged between 18-24 in the county were claiming universal credit – 4,135 individuals, a Devon County Council meeting has heard.

Just a year before 2.7 per cent of young people – 1,350 individuals – were claiming similar benefits.

Following the economic shock from the onset of the pandemic in March to July last year, youth unemployment across the county increased to 7.5 per cent, and while the rate had then fell, it has increased over the past two months during the third lockdown.

Cllr Rufus Gilbert, cabinet member for economy, said that the council was supporting a recovery programme to address the issues and they were supporting the new Exeter city centre drop-in hub which opened to support anyone looking for work in the city and  the surrounding areas.

Cllr Gilbert added: "Devon County Council has been extremely active over the covid period supporting programmes and pathways to allow young people to access work and other training and learning opportunities.

“This includes supporting partner organisations across the area around delivery of the Government’s Kickstart programme, with over 1,000 jobs created or in the process of being created across the county for those aged between 18-24, working with schools and colleges through our shared Careers Hub and Post 16 Transitions programme to support movement into college and other opportunities outside of work, direct commissioning of the Devon and Cornwall training provider network to work with the council around the promotion and support of apprenticeships, and direct support for individuals and employers facing end of furlough / redundancy.”

On April 21, the new Exeter Youth Hub opened, which is a joint project between Devon County Council, Exeter City Council and the Job Centre Plus, with the hub due to support at least 500 young people from across the County over the next year with advice and wider support services which allow them to enter work, training or a wider learning opportunity.

Cllr Gilbert added: “The centre is the latest addition to a peninsula wide network of youth centric hubs across the Greater Devon area, which includes activity within North Devon, Torbay and Plymouth. Engagement is now ongoing with partners, including the Youth Service, National Careers Service, CSW, Colleges and other key providers, to ensure that Devon County Council and Exeter City Council can maximise the impact of this capacity over the next twelve months.

“Looking ahead, following the Council’s decision to support an economic recovery programme, planning is currently ongoing around a supplementary programme of support to be rolled out over the next 6-9 months.

“This will include additional support for young people preparing to leave full time education or move onto further and higher education, targeted support for young people with additional needs or barrier to work or other progression, supplementary advice and support for those considering an apprenticeship or other traineeship approach,  additional basic skills and functional skills opportunities for those aged 18-24 with Learn Devon, and broader support for youth enterprise, graduate innovation and the Government’s ongoing Kickstart and other employment support programmes.”