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Black youth unemployment 'at 48%' | Black youth unemployment 'at 48%' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Almost half of black people aged between 16 and 24 are unemployed, compared with 20% of white people of the same age, a think tank has claimed. | Almost half of black people aged between 16 and 24 are unemployed, compared with 20% of white people of the same age, a think tank has claimed. |
The left-leaning Institute for Public Policy Research said a survey of 7,200 young people showed a wide variation in unemployment by ethnic group. | |
Black unemployment had risen 13% since March 2008, compared with 8% among white people and 6% among Asians. | |
Campaigners said action was needed from government to help the black community. | |
The IPPR report came as official figures showed that the total number of people out of work had unexpectedly fallen by 7,000 in the three months to November. | |
'Lost generation' | 'Lost generation' |
The think tank looked at data from the Labour Force Survey - a quarterly sample of about 60,000 households. Within that, it examined the responses of 16 to 24-year-olds - a total of 7,200 in November 2009. | |
It said mixed ethnic groups had seen the biggest increases in youth unemployment since the recession began, rising from 21% to 35% in the period. | |
That trend echoed the recession in the early 1990s, it added, where unemployment among ethnic minorities rose by 10%, compared with a 6% increase overall. | |
If a quarter of adult males don't work for 10-20 years, it doesn't give communities much aspiration Jeremy CrookBlack Training and Enterprise Group | |
In terms of individual groups, 48% of black people, 31% of Asians and 20% of whites reported that they were out of work. | |
Lisa Harker, co-director of the IPPR, said the findings were a "worrying reminder" that those from ethnic minorities or with fewer qualifications were "far more likely to become part of a generation lost to unemployment and disadvantage". | Lisa Harker, co-director of the IPPR, said the findings were a "worrying reminder" that those from ethnic minorities or with fewer qualifications were "far more likely to become part of a generation lost to unemployment and disadvantage". |
The think tank said the government's pledge to shield ethnic minorities had "not been effective" and urged the government to draw up alternative measures to prevent long-term unemployment. | The think tank said the government's pledge to shield ethnic minorities had "not been effective" and urged the government to draw up alternative measures to prevent long-term unemployment. |
The IPPR said unemployment was highest for those with no qualifications, standing at 43%. | The IPPR said unemployment was highest for those with no qualifications, standing at 43%. |
It said men fared worse than women, with 22% of male graduates unemployed, compared with 13% of females. | It said men fared worse than women, with 22% of male graduates unemployed, compared with 13% of females. |
Jeremy Crook, director of the Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG), said part of the problem was there were very few black role models in Britain. | Jeremy Crook, director of the Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG), said part of the problem was there were very few black role models in Britain. |
"Amongst black men, unemployment is about 20% - if a quarter of adult males don't work for 10-20 years, it doesn't give communities much aspiration, it demoralises and dissuades young people. | "Amongst black men, unemployment is about 20% - if a quarter of adult males don't work for 10-20 years, it doesn't give communities much aspiration, it demoralises and dissuades young people. |
"They look to alternatives and get involved in gangs." | "They look to alternatives and get involved in gangs." |
'Discrimination' | 'Discrimination' |
Mr Crook said black and ethnic minority communities suffered from a "long-term persistent recession" and the government needed to make a "more targeted effort" to suggest they could "achieve in life". | Mr Crook said black and ethnic minority communities suffered from a "long-term persistent recession" and the government needed to make a "more targeted effort" to suggest they could "achieve in life". |
We need action from government to ensure that these groups are not left behind Dr Krishna SardaEthnic Minority Foundation | |
"Long-term unemployment is quite devastating, the government needs to improve outcomes and show pathways into apprenticeships. | "Long-term unemployment is quite devastating, the government needs to improve outcomes and show pathways into apprenticeships. |
"There is still discrimination amongst employers, particularly in construction and engineering," he added. | "There is still discrimination amongst employers, particularly in construction and engineering," he added. |
Dr Krishna Sarda, chief executive of the Ethnic Minority Foundation, said efforts needed to be made to enhance the opportunities, education prospects and economic integration. | Dr Krishna Sarda, chief executive of the Ethnic Minority Foundation, said efforts needed to be made to enhance the opportunities, education prospects and economic integration. |
"We strongly believe economic and social integration go together. We need action from government to ensure that these groups are not left behind," he said. | "We strongly believe economic and social integration go together. We need action from government to ensure that these groups are not left behind," he said. |
The IPPR found that young women with no qualifications were the worst hit across all age groups with unemployment at 46%, up by 18% from March 2008. | The IPPR found that young women with no qualifications were the worst hit across all age groups with unemployment at 46%, up by 18% from March 2008. |
It said youth unemployment followed similar regional patterns to adult unemployment - and areas worst hit were those dependent on manufacturing and construction industries. | It said youth unemployment followed similar regional patterns to adult unemployment - and areas worst hit were those dependent on manufacturing and construction industries. |