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Excluded youths 'cost £6m a week' Excluded youth 'costing millions'
(about 5 hours later)
A generation of jobless young people is costing Scotland almost £6m a week in lost earnings, a report claims.A generation of jobless young people is costing Scotland almost £6m a week in lost earnings, a report claims.
The joint study by the Prince's Trust and Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) into the "cost of exclusion" also said youth crime cost £92m a year.The joint study by the Prince's Trust and Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) into the "cost of exclusion" also said youth crime cost £92m a year.
Prince's Trust Scotland director Geraldine Gammell said almost one in five young people was not in work, education or training.Prince's Trust Scotland director Geraldine Gammell said almost one in five young people was not in work, education or training.
She said it was a "dreadful waste of human potential".She said it was a "dreadful waste of human potential".
The report's finding are based on research conducted by the Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics.The report's finding are based on research conducted by the Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics.
Youth justiceYouth justice
It said there were about 35,000 young people from Scotland with no qualifications, costing the country about £1.2bn in lost earnings. It found that youth unemployment is costing Scotland's economy almost £6m a week in lost productivity, calculated in lost earnings for 20-24 year olds.
It also revealed that every year an estimated 70,000 school-age offenders enter the youth justice system across the UK, a proportion of them costing Scotland £92m every year. That is in addition to the £2m a week cost of the Jobseeker's Allowancefor the under 24s, said the report.
It estimated cost of crime by the 18-21 age group in 2004 was £92m, it said.
The report called for more investment to help youngsters in deprivedcommunities, and argues that helping them gain the skills to find workrepresents value for money.
The Prince's Trust charity works with 14 to 25-year-olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.The Prince's Trust charity works with 14 to 25-year-olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.
Ms Gammell said: "Only by helping young people in Scotland develop new skills and get back into work can we make a real investment in our country."Ms Gammell said: "Only by helping young people in Scotland develop new skills and get back into work can we make a real investment in our country."
RBS economist David Fenton added: "A strong economy and low unemployment continue to mask the true cost of youth exclusion.RBS economist David Fenton added: "A strong economy and low unemployment continue to mask the true cost of youth exclusion.
"With the right support, this lost generation can make a significant contribution to the health of the UK economy.""With the right support, this lost generation can make a significant contribution to the health of the UK economy."