HOUNSLOW Council has joined the call for the government to provide an 'opportunity guarantee' of an education place, apprenticeship or job for all young people.

As part of the Youth Employment Group, the Council joined 89 youth employment experts who have written an open letter to the Prime Minister calling for the guarantee.

The group asked the PM to implement a three-stage approach to improve the prospects of young people and address the youth unemployment crisis in the post-Covid economy.

Hounslow Cllr Tom Bruce, Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Children's Services, said: "We know the pandemic has adversely affected young people, with long-term unemployment at its highest level in 5 years.

"As part of helping the recovery of our borough, and the country, we need the Government to take responsibility and help tackle the youth unemployment crisis through an 'opportunity guarantee'.

"Young people are the future, and we need to ensure we are providing them with the opportunities to flourish and become active members of our community.

He added: "In Hounslow we have been actively supporting young people aged 14-19 who are not currently in Education, Employment or Training through our Hounslow Connexions Service."

The Hounslow Connexions Service provides free impartial careers advice and guidance on the full range of post 16 options available. 

You can call the service on 020 8583 5151 or visit the Hounslow Connexions website.

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