Davies: “Out of Work Figures Must be Immigration Wakeup Call”

Conservative Senedd member for the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend Andrew RT Davies has said an increase in the number of young people not in education, employment or training in the past year shows there is no need to rely on immigration to fill job vacancies.

Between April and June, 981,000 people aged 18-24 were not in education, employment, or training – 13% of the age group.

The figures are 3% higher than the same period last year.

Graduate job vacancies also fell by almost 50% in the past year; it was confirmed this week.

Mr Davies said the figures must be a “wake up call” and demanded more action to help young people take their crucial first step into the world of work.

He told the Government to “turn off the taps” and stop importing labour from abroad.

He said the priority must instead be to get young people into jobs.

Mr Davies said:

“These figures are deeply concerning and must be an urgent wake up call.

“Far more must be done to help young people take that crucial first step into the world of work.

“The Government must turn off the taps and stop importing labour from abroad – getting young British people into work must be the priority instead.”

This huge increase in the past year of the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training is shocking. This increase clearly shows that there is no need at all to rely on immigration to fill job vacancies. Should we not put our young people first? It is so important that young people do not feel that they have been abandoned by Wales. It is the duty of our politicians to get our young people into training, into further education, apprenticeships or work. We cannot allow these young people to feel that their lives have no purpose.