Extra funding for youth employment a “clear signal of intent” says McLeod

SNP MSP for the South of Scotland Dr Aileen McLeod has hailed the announcement that hundreds more young people in Scotland are set to be supported into employment as a ‘clear signal of intent’.

An additional investment of £6.3 million into Community Jobs Scotland is set to support hundreds of young people into employment, with 10% of the funding ring fenced to help those with disabilities and long-term illnesses in particular. The Scottish Government has also announced that Community Jobs Scotland will extend the support it offers to 16-24 year olds where previously it had worked with 16-19 year olds.

Dumfries & Galloway continues to have a higher percentage of unemployed young people than the national average.

Dr McLeod said:

“This substantial additional funding will help to ensure that more young people in Scotland are successfully supported into jobs. This investment is a clear signal of intent from the Scottish Government.

“No matter how much welcome progress is made, there can be no let up as long as even one young person needs help finding their way out of unemployment.

“The time when young people are starting out in their careers has a massive effect on their life chances, so it is absolutely critical that every support possible is provided.

“This funding is extremely welcome and will help to transform the lives of the hundreds of young people it supports out of unemployment.”