A programme to tackle youth unemployment has been welcomed by Liberal Democrats in Chester. Called the “Youth Contract”, the £1 billion plan will aim to find work experience or work placements in the private sector for over 250,000 18-24 year olds. The plans were launched recently by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. Included in the plans is an offer of £2,275 to each business taking on a young unemployed person. There will also be a huge expansion of work experience places with quarter of a million young people set to benefit. In addition, there will be an additional 20,000 apprenticeships in the year ahead. Neil Christian said, “This is good news for young people in Chester and Cheshire West, for too long, youth unemployment has been allowed to grow. Under the last Labour Government, the number of unemployed 18-24 year olds went up by 40%. The Coalition inherited nearly a million young people who weren’t in education, training or work. The announcement that the figure has now gone over one million coincided with the launch of the plans to get young people into work. I am urging local businesses to take part in the programme to help tackle youth unemployment. There are subsidies available to help the costs of providing work placements, work experience and apprenticeships”.