Ed Cox, director of IPPR North, comments on unemployment figures

IPPR: We’re in danger of betraying a generation

IPPR: We’re in danger of betraying a generation

Ed Cox, director of IPPR North, comments on unemployment figures:

"Today's figures show that there must be more targeted help for struggling regions such as the North East, otherwise we are in real danger of betraying a whole generation of people who can’t find work.

"These figures show one thing is clear: there must be a greater focus on the north if the UK economy is firing on all cylinders.

"The government’s youth contract is a step in the right direction to help tackle the unemployment problem but more needs to be done to help the areas of the UK where people are really struggling to find work.

"The government should guarantee a job for everyone who has been unemployed for more than a year paid at the minimum wage, targeted at the worst affected areas first."