The figures that show how the coronavirus crisis is hitting job chances of St Helens' young people

The Intergenerational Foundation charity says younger people will be left to pay the bill for protecting older generations for decades to come after suffering a “massive blow” to their income and job prospects.

Department for Work and Pensions statistics show 3,389 people aged 16-24 in St Helens were on Universal Credit as of August 13.

This was 1,385 more than the 2,004 who were claiming the benefit in early March, before the country went into lockdown, bringing large parts of the economy to a halt.

The figures include people in work and on a low income or those not working because of health or caring commitments, alongside those who are unemployed and searching for a job.

St Helens young people joined the ranks of 122,657 others in the age group across the North West who were seeking support in August, up from 68,048 in March.

Across Great Britain, the figure almost doubled to 938,000 over the first five months of the Covid-19 crisis, with every area seeing an increase in the number of young Universal Credit claimants over the period.

Separate Office for National Statistics figures show rising unemployment has hit young people the hardest, with the number of 16 to 24-year-olds in employment across the UK dropping by more than 150,000 in the three months to July.

Ashley Seager, co-founder of the Intergenerational Foundation, said: “These statistics demonstrate the intergenerational unfairness in the Government's approach to Covid.

“Our youngest workers are now starting to suffer a massive blow to their incomes and job prospects.”

He said the Government urgently needs to boost funding for the £2 billion Kickstart scheme, which subsidises work placements for young people facing long-term unemployment, while encouraging older people to shield and re-opening the economy as quickly as possible.

Mr Seager added: “Afterall, it is the younger generation who will have to pay the bill for protecting older generations for decades to come."

Marie Rimmer MP

Marie Rimmer, the MP for St Helens South and Whiston, said: “The economic fall-out from coronavirus may end up being the worst of my lifetime.

"The damage caused will still be felt for decades to come if the Government does not act and get this right."

She added that the "furlough scheme has been a lifeline for so many", but expressed fears the effect the scheme closing will have on some sectors that need a helping hand the most.

She added: "As we head towards Christmas I fear we are going to see more and more jobs lost."

Last month MS Rimmer said that to avoid this "jobs crisis getting even worse the Government should introduce a targeted furlough scheme to the sectors that most in need".

She said: "Sacrificing the livelihoods of hardworking people cannot be an option."

This week it was announced the Government will pay two thirds of the wages of staff in pubs, restaurants and other businesses if they are forced to close under new coronavirus restrictions.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that the expansion of the Jobs Support Scheme would protect jobs and provide "reassurance and a safety net" for people and businesses across the UK in advance of a potentially "difficult winter".

Firms whose premises are legally required to close because of restrictions will receive grants to pay the wages of staff who cannot work, with the Government paying two thirds of each employee's salary (67%) up to a maximum of £2,100 a month.

Employers will not be required to contribute towards wages, but will be asked to cover national insurance and pension contributions.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak

Businesses will be able to claim the grant when they are subject to restrictions and employees are off work for at least seven consecutive days.

The scheme will launch on November 1 and run for six months, with a review in January.

Meanwhile, the ONS figures show the overall unemployment rate increased to 4.1% in the three months to July – the highest in nearly two years, with the number of those without a job rising by 62,000.

Around 695,000 UK workers have been removed from the payrolls of British companies since March.

But there were an estimated 434,000 vacancies in the three months to August, up 30% from a record low between April and June, although this was still well below pre-virus levels.

Minister for employment Mims Davies said: “We recognise that the pandemic has been difficult for many people who are worried about their incomes and that’s why our £30 billion plan for jobs is aimed at protecting, supporting and creating jobs and it’s welcome news that there is some recovery in vacancies.”