With the publication of the latest unemployment figures, the government allowed itself a little moment of smugness as the figures appeared to be going in the right
direction. Coalition ministers claimed credit for this just days after they introduced the new Work Programme: a cheeky if understandable piece of political chicanery.
But David Cameron cannot afford to be smug on this issue. I know there is serious concern about youth unemployment in government and a growing understanding that the new system will not address the needs of the under-25s. Losing a significant proportion of this generation to joblessness is not something this society can afford. Politically it may seem impossible for this government to alienate young people any more than it has already, but if youth unemployment creeps closer to 25 per cent, it’s difficult to see how the coalition will win them back.
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