Nick Smith MP has attacked the Government for not giving 230 young people in Blaenau Gwent a chance by adopting Labour’s Jobs Guarantee.

According to the Office of National Statistics, Blaenau Gwent has the worst rate of unemployment in Wales at 25.5% of 16-24 year olds.

With the amount of young people being out of work for longer than a year in the borough going up by 10% since 2010, Mr Smith said out best and brightest were being failed by Government.

“In this recovery the Tories have created, where everyone are left to fend for themselves and only the rich get richer, it’s no surprise those just starting are being made to suffer”, he said.

“They need the most support because we all do starting out, and instead their talents and potential are being wasted.

“Leaving them stuck on the dole for years on end scars their lives, weakens our economy and adds billions to the social security bill.

“If this coalition government weren’t driven by ideology at all costs, they would adopt Labour’s Job Guarantee in the budget. Instead, they voted us down in November and endangered the futures of many.”

Mr Smith is trying to do his bit by organising a young person’s work experience event in Tredegar on March 28, with prospective employees getting the chance to talk to employers and pick up valuable experience for their CV.

But he said without the Government recognising the danger of leaving youngsters in long-term unemployment, it could create problems for generations to come.

“We need a long term plan to tackle the cost of living crisis and earn our way to higher standards for all”, he said.

“Our scheme could benefit 230 people in Blaenau Gwent, with hundreds more knowing they will be helped if their job search goes on too long.

“But instead this Government is taking a short-term approach that blames ordinary people for the mess their policies create.

“I don’t want that for my constituents. I want them to have a fair chance at a good life.

“But again it seems the Tories and Lib Dems want this recovery to be for the few, not the many.”