Brown to offer more graduate help

Ministers say their action has helped to slow the rise in unemployment

Gordon Brown has announced more help for unemployed young people and recent graduates to find work and training.

During a debate on the Queen's Speech, Mr Brown told MPs all out of work 18-24 year-olds would get work experience and training from the moment they sign on.

In addition, new graduates will be able to apply for an internship or training within six months of claiming benefits.

The Conservatives and Lib Dems said the measures were insufficient to deal with the scourge of youth unemployment.

Fast-track support

The number of 16 to 24-year-olds out of work increased by 15,000 to 943,000 in the three months to September.

Although more than a quarter of 16 to 24-year-olds classed as unemployed are actually in full-time education, opposition parties say the length and severity of the recession means a whole generation of young people could be lost to work.

Explaining the new assistance, the prime minister said the government would, in future, guarantee extra support for under-25s from the moment they sign on in the form of training opportunities and work placements.

Advice on preparing CVs will be provided and those needing intensive support will be fast-tracked.

There is also a new guarantee for graduates who left university this summer. They will be able to apply for a "high-quality" internship or training to set up their own business within six months of claiming benefits.

Mr Brown said the extra support built on existing guarantees of jobs, work experience or training for all under-25s out of work for a year and the offer of a college place, apprenticeship or training for all school leavers.

"We know that unemployment can be damaging to young people and are determined to do everything we can to help them achieve their potential," the prime minister said.

The government would publish further proposals to help all unemployed 18-24-year-olds in January, he added.

'Tragedy'

But opposition parties dismissed the proposals as tinkering and said ministers had failed to take the real action needed to make it easier for businesses to hire staff.

"A real Queen's Speech would acknowledge the tragedy of unemployment, with one in five young people not getting a job, and introduce proper welfare reform involving the private and voluntary sectors and paying them by results," Tory leader David Cameron said.

For the Lib Dems, Nick Clegg said the proposals were largely recycled.

"Government should legislate less and focus on getting things done," he said.

"That means creating jobs beyond the re-announcements of today for the two and half million people who are unemployed. It means getting the banks to start lending again so businesses can survive."