By Dr Melissa Carr

Today’s figures show overall unemployment has risen to around 5.1%.

Though still low by historical standards, UK unemployment is the highest it’s been in four years. But this headline figure hides a troubling picture for young people who are increasingly facing insecure work and weak prospects.

Nearly one in eight people aged 16–24 are now not in employment, education or training - the so called ‘NEETs’ – costing the UK economy an estimated £26 billion.

This is an increasing trend, as in the last three years the number of young people unemployed for more than six months increased by 124%.

Even those in work are facing increasingly insecure conditions. Previous ONS data shows younger workers tend to be concentrated in hospitality, retail and care - sectors characterised by........

© LBC