Andrew Dismore

Mayor Boris Johnson today came under calls to deliver on the Olympic legacy and tackle long term unemployment and youth unemployment in the capital. The latest figures released on Wednesday show that long-term youth unemployment (aged 18-24) in the capital has risen from 1,810 to 7,705 between July 2011 and July 2012. They also reveal that long-term unemployment (aged 25 and over) has risen from 35,835 to 57,845 over the same period.

In response to the latest figures local Labour London Assembly Member Andrew Dismore has called for the government and Mayor Boris Johnson to use all their powers to get Londoners back to work.

• Long term youth unemployment (age 18-24) in Barnet has risen 775% between July 2011 and July 2012 from 20 to 175.

• Long term unemployment (aged 25+) has risen by 82%, from 900 to 1640 over the same period.

Labour London Assembly Member Andrew Dismore said: “The slight drop in national unemployment is welcome; however long-term unemployment and youth unemployment remain stubbornly high. The mayor needs to use all of his powers to tackle this growing crisis and deliver an economic Olympic legacy to help prevent another lost generation being created. In recessions of the 80s and 90s we saw youth unemployment sky-rocket and a lost-generation created. We must do all we can to stop that happening again. The best way to inspire a new generation is to provide them with opportunities.”

Notes:

1. Unemployment figures are JobSeekers’ Allowance claimant count, taken directly from the ONS at www.nomisweb.co.uk.