Manifesto Update
Manifesto Update

In our 2022 Manifesto ‘Fairer, Safer, Greener, Together’ Islington Labour acknowledged the difficulties that many young adults have getting into education, employment or training. That is why we committed to creating an Islington Youth Employment Service, offering support and access to employment to young people, replacing the old Connexions services that were axed under Tory austerity.

London’s youth unemployment rate (those aged between 16-24 years old) stood at 14.1% in the 2nd quarter of 2023, compared with 3.4% in those who are 25-64 years old. Youth employment is important for several reasons:

  1. Economic growth: young works can drive innovation and increase productivity
  2. Helps break the cycle of intergenerational poverty
  3. Allows young people to acquire valuable skills and experience, which not only benefit them individually but also help fill skill gaps in the labour market.
  4. Promotes the feeling of belonging and purpose, reducing feelings of exclusion, alienation which can help curb the mental health crisis we are seeing in young people.
  5. High youth unemployment is associated with higher crime rates, so by increasing youth employment we can make communities safer

This week, Islington’s Labour-run Council has announced that two new Youth Employment Hubs have opened their doors to get young people, between the ages of 16 and 25, into work, training, or education. The Employment Hubs are based at West Library and on the Andover Estate and are the result of a £350,000 investment to create safe spaces for young people seeking work. People can access support from experts to explore job goals, help with CVs, interview preparation, and find suitable training, work placements and apprenticeships. This is all part of Islington Labour’s efforts to offer support and access to employment for young people, as outlined in our 2022 Manifesto. We have also successfully got 3013 people into work as we gradually work towards our target of 5000 by 2026, as outlined in our manifesto.

Islington’s Executive Member for Inclusive Economy and Jobs, Councillor Santiago Bell-Bradford, said: “Here in Islington we are passionate about tackling inequality and want to ensure that every young person has what they need to thrive. By introducing these new Youth Employment Hubs, we will be filling a gap for many young people who would otherwise not have access to this kind of support.”

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