Response to Prime Minister's call for all under 25 'earning or learning'

The union said sorting out the problem of youth inactivity was absolutely vital, but warned it could not be done on the cheap or by scapegoating young people. UCU pointed to recent research from Comres which showed that 88% of young people want to work or study, and said a new approach to tackling the problem is required at both national and local level.

The union said the demonisation of young people as lazy and any restriction of benefits as a way to force young people into low paying temporary jobs or inadequate training would not solve the problem.  

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'We must move beyond glib and superficial analysis of youth unemployment and its causes if we are to give the next generation a real chance in life. Educational underachievement costs the UK economy an estimated £22bn a year. We will not resolve this massive problem by forcing young people into unstable, low paying employment or inadequate training. 

'What we need is a real plan at local and national level which provides sustainable and secure employment opportunities for young people and access to education which is useful and mind broadening. Cheap headlines about lazy youngsters or cutting their benefits are no substitute for a strategy which is on the side of young people and allows them to realise their potential.'