Emma has called on the government to do more to tackle youth unemployment in Wolverhampton. According to figures from the Department of Work and Pensions, Wolverhampton has the ninth highest claimant rate for youth unemployment in the country.

Emma praised Wolverhampton City Council for the work it is doing to support young people who are not in employment, education, or training. The Council has recently launched a two year project to tackle youth unemployment in Wolverhampton using funding from Black Country Impact, a £51million scheme to help young adults in the Black Country gain the skills they need to get into work. Black Country Impact is part-funded by the European Union.

Speaking in Parliament on Monday 17 October, Emma said “Youth unemployment in Wolverhampton remains stubbornly high despite recent progress. Wolverhampton City Council is running an excellent project to help young people back into work, which is part-funded by the European Union. The Secretary of State and I campaigned to remain in the EU. Can he guarantee that such projects will be funded by the Government once we leave?”

The Minister did not guarantee that the government would step in to continue to support such projects.

Speaking afterwards Emma said, “The government needs to clarify what will happen to projects tackling youth unemployment which receive EU funding. It is very important that the government steps in to guarantee funding to prevent any shortfall.

“It is unacceptable that so many young people are being denied the opportunity to reach their potential and get on the career ladder. The government needs to do more to support areas like Wolverhampton with above average levels of youth unemployment.”