Long-term jobless risk being left behind

Young people out of work and the long-term unemployed risk being left behind in any recovery in the economy, a review of the Government’s action plan on jobs has warned.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report also says more needs to be done to target activisation efforts among the long-term unemployed.

OECD deputy secretary general Yves Leterme said yesterday the best way of improving work opportunities for the young and long-term unemployed was by giving them new skills.