Half of UK's young black population 'are unemployed' - study

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Communities and also in Housing

Almost half of black young people were unemployed after a big increase in the group's jobless rate since the recession began, a new study showed today.

An analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) showed that unemployment among black people aged between 16-24 was well over twice the 20% rate of unemployment among white young people.

Mixed ethnic groups had seen the biggest increases in unemployment, rising from 21% in March 2008 to 35% in November 2009, the research revealed.

Total youth unemployment currently stands at almost 943,000 - almost one in five 16-24 year olds - a 15 year high.

As in previous recessions, ethnic minorities have been disproportionately affected by the rise in unemployment, said the report, published ahead of new jobless figures today.

In the last recession of the early 1990s, unemployment among ethnic minorities rose by 10%, compared with a 6% increase overall.

The ippr said its findings suggested the government's pledge last year to shield ethnic minorities by targeting support at disadvantaged groups had not been effective.

The government was urged to draw up alternative measures to prevent long-term unemployment among these groups, such as increasing the number of job placements in disadvantaged areas.

Lisa Harker, co-director of ippr said: "These findings are a worrying reminder that although the recession is affecting all young people, those from ethnic minorities or with fewer qualifications are far more likely to become part of a generation lost to unemployment and disadvantage."

A spokesman from youth charity the Prince's Trust said: "Black young people are more likely to live in poorer areas, with higher joblessness and lower school results.

"As unemployment rises, those are the areas which are hardest hit. We must act now to help all unemployed young people into work."

Employment minister Jim Knight said: "The ethnic minority employment rate gap has been closing steadily over the past 10 years and has remained constant during this recession.

"But we recognise that ethnic minority groups still suffer unemployment more than other groups and are working with the Ethnic Minority Employment Taskforce to tackle this.

"We are investing £5 billion - opposed by the Tories - to get people back to work and not put the recovery at risk. The biggest threat to ethnic minority employment would be a Tory government - under which overall unemployment would double."