Number of young people claiming income related benefits triples during pandemic

The number of young people claiming income related benefits in Edinburgh has more than tripled since the beginning of the pandemic according to new statistics.

Amelia Morgan, Chief Executive of Venture Trust

The Youth Employment Group (YEG), which works across the United Kingdom, has been collaborating with the Venture Trust to highlight the importance of working together to help young people whose employment has been hit by the economic crisis.

Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on the Edinburgh economy and no more so than in the ‘shut-down- sectors that tend to be the places of work for young people.

New statistics from the Centre for Cities show that 3,285 young people in Edinburgh (5.1 per cent) claimed benefits in August. This number has more than tripled since the beginning of the pandemic earlier this year.

The YEG fears that with protection schemes like furlough coming to a halt that more young people will find themselves in difficult positions.

But the Venture Trust, a member of the YEG, has set out to work with the Scottish government to ensure that young people are not left behind in recovery.

They say that they recognise the importance of working together to retain existing opportunities whilst building support and capacity for the future.

Among other recommendations, they are encouraging local employers and youth services to get involved in schemes such as the Young Person’s Guarantee and Kickstart aimed at ensuring that young people in Edinburgh are not missing out – in particular young people who need support the most.

Amelia Morgan from the Venture Trust said,:“The new figures show the scale of the challenge facing young people in Edinburgh. Younger generations are being hardest hit by economic instability and they are 2.5 times more likely to work in the ‘shut down’ sectors which are being further disrupted by local lockdowns and more stringent social distancing measures.”

Ms Morgan added: “We know it’s hard right now. Employers, educators, trainers, youth workers, advisers, charities and decision makers all have a vital role to play. Only with a collective and concerted effort, can we help save a generation from the long-term scarring effects of youth unemployment.”

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