MP welcomes A Level results but fears lost generation in ‘school-leavers’ limbo.”

MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North, Catherine McKinnell, has congratulated local students following another impressive year of A Level results. However, Ms McKinnell also voiced deep concern that through no fault of their own, more young people than ever today left school without a job or place at university.

‘Whilst I’m delighted for everyone who has worked hard and received their results today,’ said Ms McKinnell, ‘I am dismayed for the 200,000 students who now find themselves in school-leavers’ limbo. The dual problems of youth unemployment and university shortfall have been made infinitely worse by the short-sighted policies of the coalition government.

‘We all accept that the deficit should be cut but Labour would never have tried to achieve this goal at the expense of our young people. Since coming to power on 11 May, the coalition has cut 10,000 extra university places, abolished the Future Jobs Fund, axed 8,000 jobcentre staff, refused to renew the Young Persons’ Guarantee and slashed funding to the public sector; one of the largest recruiters of school-leavers and graduates.

‘It is impossible to see how this government can claim to be helping young people into work or education. Because of their decision to reduce university and employment spending faster and more severely than was needed, a generation of bright and capable youngsters will find it far harder than was ever necessary to leave school with optimism.’