Youth unemployment

Dear Sir,

Figures showing that youth unemployment in Burnley has risen by a shocking 29% in the past 12 months goes to show that there is still much more work needed to be done to create opportunities for school leavers and university graduates.

However, I would have to disagree with the sentiments of TUC North West secretary, Alan Manning, who can only seem to point the blame towards the coalition austerity programme.

It is worth pointing out that local opportunities for employment can be created by a pro-active borough council willing to slash parking rates that are forcing shoppers out of the town centre, resulting in an increasing number of empty retail units on the high street.

While the council remains committed to policies that harm our high street, more and more jobs, traditionally filled by young workers will disappear.

Yours faithfully,

Paul Nuttall