Economy Poor transport blamed for number of young people out of work

Bad buses and blasé businesses have been blamed for thousands of Bristol teenagers who are not studying, working or training.

- Alex SEABROOK Local democracy reporter

Nearly 700 teenagers aged 16 and 17 aren't in education, training or employment, while 2,235 18 to 24-year-olds are receiving unemployment benefits.

More disadvantaged areas on the outskirts of Bristol tend to have higher numbers, such as Hartcliffe, Lawrence Weston and Knowle West. These places have few job opportunities and public transport links to the rest of the city, making access to colleges and work harder than elsewhere.

Bristol City Council has a legal duty to encourage and help young people aged 16 and 17 to take part in education or training.

Local firms have been encouraged to “step up” with work experience offers.

Jane Taylor, head of employment, skills and lifelong learning at the council, said: “It’s a sizeable number of young people and we should be worried about that. It’s a huge worry for them and their families, and it’s a loss to the city and the economy. We've got the perennial issue of transport in this city, which is expensive and inconsistent. Many young people lack the confidence to travel outside of their immediate locality.