Labour is bad for business and for young jobseekers

YOUTH unemployment in Britain has risen above that of Europe for the first time since records began with the Bank of England blaming Labour’s minimum wage increases for pricing young people out of the workplace.

- Tim Newark

Joblessness among 16 to 24-year-olds reached 15.3% in the three months to September last year — outstripping the EU’s 15% average.

The shock figures, revealed by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), are another damning black mark against Labour. Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner must both shoulder the blame for damaging policies that have combined to make employing young people less attractive.

Inflation-busting minimum wage increases make it more challenging for companies to risk hiring young people who frequently need training.

For 18 to 20-yearolds, it leapt by 16.3% in April last year, going from £8.60 an hour io £10. This spring it will rise by a further 8.5% to £10.85.

Such increases mean there is little incentive to recruit inexperienced youngsters compared to older workers.

RAYNER then piled on the pressure by championing workers’ rights legislation that has made it more difficult to dismiss failing employees — allowing unfair dismissal protection after just six months, down from the original two years.