(Councillor P Hayes, having declared a prejudicial interest, left the chamber during the vote on this item)

Proposed by Councillor Chris Meaden

Seconded by Councillor Walter Smith

(1)  This Council registers its extreme concern about the increase in youth unemployment announced recently. The Office of National Statistics revealed that one in five 16 to 24-year olds are now out of work, after a rise of 32,000 saw the figure reach 951,000 – the highest level since records began.

(2)  Council notes that areas like Wirral, with high levels of urban deprivation, already have higher than average unemployment figures and higher numbers of young people not in education, employment or training.

(3)  Council believes that the abolition of the Educational Maintenance Allowance and the tripling of tuition fees for studying at university will make it more difficult for young people to obtain the qualifications they require to obtain jobs.

(4)  Council further believes that the abolition of national programmes aimed at helping young unemployed people, such as the Future Jobs Fund, is also a retrograde step

(5)  Council calls on the Tory-LibDem Government to reverse these disastrous policies and provide proper support for our young people.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2).

Proposed by Councillor Andrew Hodson

Seconded by Councillor Tom Anderson

Delete all after ‘(1) This Council’ and replace with:

notes that the latest figures for the number of 18-24 year olds in Wirral claiming Jobseekers Allowance has fallen from 3,090 in February 2010 to 2,585. This includes, for example, a reduction in Bebington Ward from 110 young people in February 2010 to 80 today.

(2)  While Council welcomes this reduction, it states its concern that, in spite of massive spending by the previous Government, many communities in Wirral are still blighted by large numbers of people not in work, education or training.

(3)  Council notes that 250,000 young people are growing up in homes where no-one has ever worked and that 600,000 people aged under 24 have never worked since leaving school.

(4)  Council further notes that 22,000 people in Wirral have no qualifications and that too many young people are leaving school without the skills employers need.

(5)  Council welcomes the decision by Cabinet that have created 300 places on the Wirral Apprentice Scheme.  Council therefore instructs the interim Director of Corporate Resources and the Interim Director of Children’s Services to ensure:

(i)  Maximum enrolment to the Wirral Apprenticeship Programme and welcomes the doubling of the number of places available to Wirral’s young people by the Cabinet

(ii)  Students are encouraged to take part in the Government’s new Work Experience Programme which will allow them to undertake work experience for up to eight weeks so they can get a "meaningful" stint in a business environment and improving their CV. 

(iii)  That schools in Wirral identify those students who would benefit most from the new targeted support to stay in further education

(iv)  People are made aware of the new support available to help start their own business, including the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme and Enterprise Clubs

(v)  Full participation in the new Work Programme, replacing the failed New Deal and other programmes

The amendment was put and carried (40:22)

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2).

Proposed by Councillor Stuart Kelly

Seconded by Councillor Dave Mitchell

Delete paragraphs (3) to (5) and insert:

(3)  Council expresses its wish that the replacement for EMA should be an adequately funded enhanced learner support fund, managed locally and targeted to support more closely those young people facing the most significant financial barriers to participation.

(4)  Council believes that, following the cessation of national programmes such as the future jobs fund, the government urgently needs to develop effective new proposals to tackle youth unemployment.

(5)  Council welcomes the £1.4BN funding for National Apprenticeships, which has been promised by the coalition Government for 2011/12, increasing the National Apprenticeship Service budget by £222M.

Insert new paragraphs as follows:

(6)  Council further welcomes the additional 146 ‘Wirral Apprentice’ places agreed by Cabinet on 3 February 2011, bringing the total number of places being provided by the council to 325.

(7)  Finally, Council commends the Cabinet for listening to the results of the ‘Wirral’s Future – be a part of it’ consultation and recommending funding to regeneration budgets of £2.1M, agreed by Council on 13 December 2010, to support job creation and local growth.

The amendment was put and carried (40:22)

The motion as amended was put and carried (40:22)

Resolved (40:22) –

(1)  This Council’ notes that the latest figures for the number of 18-24 year olds in Wirral claiming Jobseekers Allowance has fallen from 3,090 in February 2010 to 2,585. This includes, for example, a reduction in Bebington Ward from 110 young people in February 2010 to 80 today.

(2)  While Council welcomes this reduction, it states its concern that, in spite of massive spending by the previous Government, many communities in Wirral are still blighted by large numbers of people not in work, education or training.

(3)  Council notes that 250,000 young people are growing up in homes where no-one has ever worked and that 600,000 people aged under 24 have never worked since leaving school.

(4)  Council further notes that 22,000 people in Wirral have no qualifications and that too many young people are leaving school without the skills employers need.

(5)  Council welcomes the decision by Cabinet that have created 300 places on the Wirral Apprentice Scheme.

Council therefore instructs the interim Director of Corporate Resources and the Interim Director of Children’s Services to ensure:

(i)  Maximum enrolment to the Wirral Apprenticeship Programme and welcomes the doubling of the number of places available to Wirral’s young people by the Cabinet

(ii)  Students are encouraged to take part in the Government’s new Work Experience Programme which will allow them to undertake work experience for up to eight weeks so they can get a "meaningful" stint in a business environment and improving their CV. 

(iii)  That schools in Wirral identify those students who would benefit most from the new targeted support to stay in further education

(iv)  People are made aware of the new support available to help start their own business, including the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme and Enterprise Clubs

(v)  Full participation in the new Work Programme, replacing the failed New Deal and other programmes

(6)  Council expresses its wish that the replacement for EMA should be an adequately funded enhanced learner support fund, managed locally and targeted to support more closely those young people facing the most significant financial barriers to participation.

(7)  Council believes that, following the cessation of national programmes such as the future jobs fund, the government urgently needs to develop effective new proposals to tackle youth unemployment.

(8)  Council welcomes the £1.4BN funding for National Apprenticeships, which has been promised by the coalition Government for 2011/12, increasing the National Apprenticeship Service budget by £222M.

(9)  Council further welcomes the additional 146 ‘Wirral Apprentice’ places agreed by Cabinet on 3 February 2011, bringing the total number of places being provided by the council to 325.

(10)  Finally, Council commends the Cabinet for listening to the results of the ‘Wirral’s Future – be a part of it’ consultation and recommending funding to regeneration budgets of £2.1M, agreed by Council on 13 December 2010, to support job creation and local growth.