Justin Tomlinson MP joined Young Enterprise and the Personal Finance Education Group for an open discussion on how to equip young people with skills in a bid to combat youth unemployment.
Youth unemployment was far too high under the previous Government and thanks to huge investment in the apprenticeships programme (930 young people have started an apprenticeship in North Swindon in the past twelve months) as well as changes to the National Curriculum and school leaving age (ensuring that all young people leave school with the best English and Maths education). As a result, youth unemployment in North Swindon has fallen by 44.6% since May 2010, giving more young people the security and independence that comes through work.
Justin was also able to discuss his successful campaign which has seen Financial Education become a part of the National Curriculum. The campaign, which enjoyed the support of more than 250 MPs from all parties, was the only new addition to the reformed National Curriculum which began being taught last month. It will mean that primary and secondary students are taught about the importance of personal finance through real-life, tangible examples.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: "It is critically important that we equip young people with relevant skills and opportunities so that they can become informed future consumers. Despite a recent streamlining of the National Curriculum, I campaigned hard in parliament to ensure that Financial Education was included. It is now being taught in schools across the UK as of September 2014. Youth Unemployment has to be tackled through skills and opportunity. Today’s young people are tomorrow's work force. That’s why I am pleased to see that the Prime Minister has pledged to eradicate youth unemployment completely by introducing an extra 3 million apprenticeships; a pledge that will be funded by reducing the welfare cap to £23,000. This means that young people will be able to seek employment and skills training immediately after leaving compulsory education - removing the option for them to start a life claiming benefits.”
